Ms Kate Duggan:

I might start to respond generally and Ms O'Keeffe will come in on the Deputy's question about education support. Mr. Brophy might come in on the Deputy's question about the number of children in care, the bursary scheme and the scheme around supporting. At a high level in respect of our educational support service, by way of explanation, the operational delivery of that service sits within Tusla but is with the Department of Education and Youth from policy, funding and legislative perspectives.

I do not need to say any more than that we recognise the fear and stigma, the cultural difference and the concern among members of the Traveller community, particularly mothers, when they come to engage with our service. They are sometimes reticent to talk about domestic violence, addiction or other troubling issues that they may be dealing with in their homes. They may be in fear of talking to public services about those issues.

The Deputy asked about the ethnic identifier. We have done the first phase of our work in that regard, which included the development of a policy and training, and how it will be used. Phase 2 will take place in 2026 and the biggest part of it will be around encouraging individuals who engage with us to identify as an ethnic minority. It might take a little more time to have certainty over the data. Tusla is lucky in that we are an organisation that now has one record per child for the whole of the agency. That will ensure that the data will be collected and reported on, but it may take a number of years to bed down and give us a total picture.

I will let Ms O'Keeffe answer on the query in respect of the education and welfare office. Mr. Brophy can answer the question about children in care and social work bursaries.