More than half (57%) of principals surveyed said that they were aware of homophobic bullying or name calling in their schools.

The results are being released as part of International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Director of the Anti-Bullying Centre DCU, Dr James O’Higgins-Norman, said that bullying can have a profoundly negative effect on young LGBT people.

“It tells them that there is not a place for them in society,” he said.

“It tells them that expressing their sexuality and coming out and being part of mainstream culture is not something that’s going to be easy, and it confines them again to a level of doubt, and a struggle with their identity that really wouldn’t have to happen if there was greater acceptance and education in our schools.”