THE GOVERNMENT IS to launch its major plan for tackling bullying in schools today.

Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald will unveil the Action Plan on Bullying at the Department of Education this afternoon.

It is believed that the plan will involve schools being required to keep a formal record of all bullying. Parents will be encouraged as part of the plan to look out for signals that their child may be a victim of bullying.

A website will also provide information for parents and teachers on how to look out for different types of bullying.

A national public forum on anti-bullying took place in May last year at the Department of Education in a bid to explore new ways to tackle the problem of bullying in schools.

Separately, the Department of Education will issue mental health guidelines for secondary schools but a date has not yet been set for when this will happen.

Read: Department to issue bullying guidelines to schools this week >

Read: Dáil to debate Bill on mandatory bullying code for schools >