Schools, parents and the wider community need to tackle bullying, the Minister for Youth Affairs, Síle de Valera said today.
Of particular concern was the issue of homophobic bullying in post-primary schools, she said, while addressing the publication of research into the issue by Dublin City University academic James Norman. The research was funded by the Department.
The Equality Authority and the Belong To Youth Project also published a school-based response to homophobic bullying today.
The Minister said that grant-aid funding was being provided for two youth workers to address some of the issues surrounding bullying in schools.
Ms de Valera said anti-bullying measures were part of the junior cycle and would shortly become part of the senior cycle curriculum.
The senior curriculum would deal with the effects of homophobic bullying.