Policy information
Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools
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The Bí Cineálta procedures to prevent and address bullying behaviour for primary and post-primary schools were published on 19 June 2024. These procedures replace the 2013 anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools and the requirements of these procedures come into effect from 1 September 2025.
These procedures have resulted from a review of the 2013 anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools and the implementation of Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying which was published in December 2022.
These Bí Cineálta procedures were developed in collaboration with the education partners and are heavily informed by the views of children and young people, parents, school staff , board of management members and the wider education community. Bí Cineálta means “Be Kind”. Showing Kindness and being kind to each other underpins these procedures and our approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour.
A working group was established in 2022 to review the 2013 anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools. Terms of reference and membership of this working group can be found by accessing the following link:
The revised procedures provide direction and guidance to schools, in relation to measures to prevent and address bullying behaviour in schools.
The Bí Cineálta procedures are centred on a child-rights-based approach and support a partnership approach where all members of the school community work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour. The procedures have been updated to take account of gender identity bullying, cyberbullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying, and sexual harassment. They support schools to develop clear strategies to prevent and address these bullying behaviours.
The requirements of the procedures are to be implemented by schools from September 1, 2025.
Implementation of these procedures will be supported by a suite of professional learning resources and information sessions for school staff, board of management members and parents. Detailed information on these will be made available early in September 2024.
Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post Primary Schools
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Appendix A - School Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour
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Appendix D Guide to Providing Bullying Behaviour Update
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Appendix F Notification regarding the board of management’s annual review of the school’s Bí Cineálta Policy
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Appendix G Overview of the Bí Cineálta Procedures for Preventing and Addressing Bullying Behaviour
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Resources to support implementation of a school’s Bí Cineálta Policy to prevent and address bullying behaviour is available here :
Cineáltas Action Plan on Bullying has been developed by the Department of Education in collaboration with a diverse and dedicated Steering Committee led by Dr Noel Purdy of Stranmillis University College in Belfast. Cineáltas has been informed by the views of children and young people, parents, school staff, education partners and individual members of the public and succeeds in placing the students at the very heart of the plan.
Cineáltas builds on the achievements and ambition of the previous Action Plan on Bullying published in 2013, taking into account the work undertaken in recent years to ensure that our schools are safe and happy places for all our children and young people.
A copy of the Action Plan is available here on www.gov.ie/actionplanonbullying