Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I will send the Deputy the detailed information he requires. We must assess how effective the allocation of resources was in the past in terms of the outcomes. A task to be carried out within the Traveller community and with the support groups for Travellers is to try to convince Traveller parents of the value of education in the first instance. Education starts in the home before young people reach the classroom and staying in the classroom requires the commitment of parents as much as the enthusiasm and dedication of teachers. One cannot work without the other. We are trying to enhance that commitment across a wider range than just Travellers. However, there are outcomes that are unsatisfactory at present and the figures the Deputy quoted indicate that. We will have to try harder. It must be said in all honesty that we must try to achieve more with less. That is the position at present.

See this speech in context