Working Group to Review the 2013 Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools

The working group was established in 2022 to review the 2013 anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools. The first working group meeting took place on the 29 March 2022. A total of 16 meetings took place over the course of 27 months.

Terms of reference:

To review and update the anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary school to:

• take account of developments since the procedures were published in 2013.
• take account of relevant research in this area.
• take account of gender identity bullying, cyber bullying and sexual harassment.
• ensure appropriate oversight at school level.
• ensure that a school’s anti-bullying policy is developed and reviewed in consultation with the school community.

Members of the working group at the time of publication

• Judith Lyons, Principal Officer, Parents and Learners Unit, Department of Education - Working Group Chairperson
• Debbie Newman, Assistant Principal Officer, Parents and Learners Unit, Department of Education
• Tommy Flynn, Higher Executive Officer, Parents and Learners Unit, Department of Education
• Asiya Al-Tawash, Chairperson, Muslim Primary Education Board (MPEB)
• Kathryn Corbett, Administrative Principal, Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN)
• Paul Crone, Director, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD)
• Ken Fennelly, Secretary to the General Synod Board of Education and Education Officer, Church of Ireland Board of Education
• Darran Heaney, Director of Engagement, Anti-Bullying Centre, Dublin City University
• Shari Irfan, President, Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU)
• Moira Leydon, Assistant General Secretary, Education and Research, Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI)
• Áine Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, National Parents Council (NPC)
• Cormac McCashin, Bainisteoir Tacaíochta, An Foras Pátrúnachta
• Enda McGorman, Education Advisor, Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA)
• Maria McHenry, Assistant General Secretary, Legal and Industrial Relations Section, Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO)
• Catherine Moynihan, Research and Development Officer, Joint Managerial Body (JMB)
• Ann Mulcahy, Assistant General Secretary, Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI)
• Ann O’Dwyer, Director of Schools, Kerry Education and Training Board, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI)
• Eileen O'Rourke, General Secretary, National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NABMSE)
• Áine O’Sullivan, Assistant General Secretary, Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS)
• Dave Sexton, Industrial Relations Officer, Forsa Trade Union