Minister launches national survey to tackle bullying
Minister Hildegarde Naughton has launched the 2026 national survey on bullying behaviour, inviting schools and students across Ireland to participate. This initiative, aligned with Anti-Bullying Week, aims to deepen understanding and enhance policies for safer, more inclusive schools.
Survey participation and objectives
Schools across Ireland are urged to facilitate student access to the online survey between 9 and 23 November 2026, encouraging participation from relevant age groups. The insights collected will play a vital role in shaping national policy and supporting schools in preventing and addressing bullying effectively.
Minister Naughton emphasised the importance of the survey: “Every child and young person deserves to feel safe and respected in school. Listening to their voices helps us understand bullying realities and tailor our responses accordingly.” She also thanked schools for their commitment to fostering environments where every student feels included.
Supporting resources and events
To complement Anti-Bullying Week and the survey launch, schools have received resources centred on this year’s theme, ‘No-One Left Out’, which highlights exclusionary bullying and promotes inclusive school communities. Additionally, the department will host its third Cineáltas Showcase, celebrating national efforts to prevent bullying and enhance wellbeing.
This year’s showcase will coincide with the Student Participation in Education Conference, held under Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. The conference will gather students, educators, policymakers, and international delegates to explore youth involvement in education policy, including bullying prevention. A student-led World Café consultation on bullying behaviour will provide further opportunities for young voices to be heard.
Focus on inclusion and future monitoring
The 2026 survey will place special emphasis on how schools support students with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, aiming to ensure they feel safe, included, and valued. Results will be compared with data from 2025, allowing the Department to monitor trends and enhance the implementation of Cineáltas.
This survey represents the fourth edition of the Perspectives on Bullying Behaviour series, reaffirming the commitment to listen to children and young people and to build safer, kinder school environments.
For more information and to access the survey, schools and students can visit the Department of Education and Youth’s official website.