Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for allowing me to raise this issue and I thank the Minister for his attendance. I raised this issue with him previously by way of a question on the yellow flag programme. I will explain, for while the Minister knows the House might not.

The yellow flag programme is described as a "progressive equality and diversity initiative for primary and secondary schools" that "promotes and supports an environment for interculturalism." Through a co-operative approach involving students, staff and management, it is possible to consider issues of diversity and equality. These should not be seen as school subjects. Rather, they should be taken outside the school setting, as they affect everyone's life.

We are all familiar with the green schools project. In parallel with that environmental programme, the yellow flag programme is a practical scheme with an award as an incentive. Following completion of the eight steps involved and an external assessment, a school is awarded the yellow flag in recognition of its work in promoting diversity and inclusion.

When I raised this issue last December, the Minister replied:

My Department has not provided support for the programme referred to by the Deputy, which I understand was run as a pilot project in some schools. In view of the current economic climate, funding for new programmes, including this programme, cannot be considered at this time.

I was disappointed by the Minister's answer, as the programme would not be expensive. The Minister might inform me of the situation, but I hope that the pilot scheme has been successful. As the Traveller movement has stated, there is a great need for diversity among teachers and for additional anti-racism training at the colleges of education. The teaching practice programme should send a message of diversity in the education system.

Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea, County Galway, has a yellow flag. Nationally, 26 schools are working on the green flag scheme and 30 have been awarded it, including Gaelscoil Riabhach. Thirteen schools are working towards the yellow flag, including St. Patrick's boys' national school in Tuam, County Galway.

I hope that we can make more progress.

I am worried that the Children's Rights Alliance has awarded the Government an E grade for its unsatisfactory performance on issues affecting Traveller children. Likewise, any cutbacks to education should not affect Traveller children in the education system because it would only reinforce and condemn another generation of young Traveller children to exclusion and marginalisation. I hope the Minister will examine the issue again. The yellow flag programme is worthwhile and perhaps the Department might be able to support it.

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