Education Minister Norma Foley has introduced new supports to combat bullying in schools.
The Government’s latest action plan on bullying, Cinealtas, will see initiatives such as counselling supports for primary schools, training for school staff and teachers to be able to recognise bullying and a dedicated Cinealtas unit in the Department of Education.
Cinealtas has four key guiding principles, prevention, support, oversight and community.
The Government is backing the plan with €6 million in funding from the Budget.
The Minister hopes the implementation of the actions in this Action Plan will “greatly enhance and compliment the work that schools already do to ensure that all the children and young people are kept safe from harm and that the wellbeing of children and young people is at the forefront of everything.”
Ms Foley said: “Our schools are vibrant, innovative and most importantly inclusive places of learning, but for some children and young people bullying is an unacceptable reality.
“Cineáltas is practical, inclusive and contains a broad range of actions which help us all to work together towards a diverse, inclusive Irish society free from bullying in all its forms and where individual difference is valued and celebrated.
“Our vision is to provide schools with the tools necessary to target and tackle cyber bullying, racism, gender identity bullying or sexual harassment, among other areas.
“The implementation of the actions in this Action Plan will greatly enhance the work that we already do to ensure that all the children and young people who attend our schools are kept safe from harm and that the wellbeing of our children and young people is at the forefront of everything that we do.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all those who played a role in the consultation process and in particular those involved in the Steering Committee who have ensured that this plan incorporates each of the nine components of the UNESCO Whole Education Approach.
“I also want to thank the many, many children and young people who contributed so effectively to this consultation process, and whose voices have been heard in the development of this plan.”
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