Mr. Patrick McDonagh:

I agree that early intervention is key. Given the drop-out rates for Travellers at all stages of education, it is too late to wait until the leaving certificate to intervene. It does not matter how many scholarships are offered or university or apprenticeship schemes are in place if only a small number of Travellers get that far because they will not be effective. The main thing is to build a critical mass of Travellers who have gone forward and will encourage others. It is no good me being here on my own. The numbers progressing are still quite small and there are too few to make this self-sustaining, unlike in the settled population where progression to third level is an acceptable route.