Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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540. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of bullying in the workplace throughout the higher education system; the extent to which action has been taken or is proposed to deal with such issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6758/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life.

As part of the Framework for Consent, institutions must report incidents of Bullying, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Assault to the Higher Education Authority. The introduction of the ‘Speak Out’ tool on 18^thOctober 2021will allow them to report in a timely and standardised fashion.

The Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing sexual harassment and bullying. Specifically the PfG commits to“Ensure that every Higher Education Institution commissions a survey for all staff and students on harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying, with a view to informing their equality, diversity and inclusion action plans.”

Following consultation with key stakeholders, a decision was made to undertake separate surveys on sexual violence & harassment and to commission distinct surveys on bullying.

I officially opened the surveys on sexual violence and harassment in April 2021 and published the survey reports a few weeks ago in late January. The surveys, conducted by the Higher Education Authority, were sent by higher education institutions directly to all students and staff in higher education. A total of 11,417 responses were analysed (7,901 students and 3,516 staff) and inform the findings. My Department is now working with the expert Advisory Group established by the HEA, to consider the recommendations from these reports and to determine how best to respond to the survey findings.

As for bullying, this act of aggression and dominance cuts to the very bone of the victim and, like cases of sexual violence and harassment, can have profound impacts on an individual’s life, livelihood, relationship and participation in the community.

It must be our collective aim to work together in partnership to build a society, culture and institutions where these behaviours are not tolerated. To protect victims and ensure accountability,we must:

- Prevent - through information and awareness raising especially on matters such as consent;

- Reduce - through structures, procedures and policies that severely limit the potential occurrence of sexual harassment and bullying; and

- Support – by ensuring that each and every victim of sexual harassment and bullying is given the right supports and space to heal.

I’ve written to our higher education institutions advising them that two surveys will be conducted in relation to bullying among staff and students. These surveys are being conducted by researchers at the DCU National Anti-Bullying Centre.

The aim of the surveys is to gain a deeper understanding into the experiences of bullying among and between Higher Education staff and students in Ireland, including the current prevalence, nature and effects of these issues. This will provide an evidence base to inform policy in the area.

The survey on bullying amongst staff in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) was carried out in 2021. The DCU National Anti-Bullying Centre is currently in the process of analysing the survey findings with a view to publishing the survey report in late spring. My Department is working with DCU’s National Anti-Bullying Centre to progress work on a student survey on bullying.

I will continue to lead the way on institutional change, championing the changes required, listening to survivors and working in collaboration to achieve justice for victims and a cultural norm where bullying and sexual harassment are not tolerated.