To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department has any strategies specifically tailored to combat bullying of children with special needs; and if he will make a statement. (79786)

The Department of Education makes clear that all forms of bullying are unacceptable and actively promotes the development of anti-bullying initiatives through its Anti-Bullying Programme.

Information about the scale and nature of bullying in Northern Ireland schools is contained in a research report published in October 2002. A research briefing summary is available on the Department’s website at www.deni.gov.uk/rb8_2002.pdf.

The Department has recently commissioned updated research into bullying, in all its forms, and the results are expected to be ready for publication by mid 2007.