Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I understand his concern. For a long time now, since 2006 in fact, the approach to education for Travellers has involved an integrated model. The Department has been moving to wind back the segregated model which was in place and I understand this is the only remaining school operating on this basis. There has been a consistent effort by the Department, working with the patron, to move to an integrated model. The Deputy referred to assessments and engagements with the school where defects had been identified. It is the Department's belief that the best future for these children is in another setting where they will do better, have a wider range of choice, get more support and be able to achieve more. The approach of an integrated setting is strongly favoured and has been a consistent one on the part of the Department. As to ensuring no child falls out of the system as a result of this proposal, I have insisted and the Department is determined to track each of these children to ensure each child gets a suitable placement. We are determined to see that.

I take the Deputy's point about giving this more time and winding the school down over some period, but a great deal of work has been done to adopt a different approach. It has not been successful to date and the Department is of the view that continuing on with this process is not in the best interests of the young people concerned. We have been successful in integrating young students in the system and there is growing rather than diminishing participation. The belief is that this decision is the correct one. Wider initiatives are being undertaken to ensure there is an enhanced uptake by Traveller children in education. The Department acknowledges the weaknesses there. As part of an integrated approach, led by the Department of Justice and Equality, in which we are participating, there are specific educational initiatives to be undertaken, including in our own area, to enhance the participation of Traveller children. That is being done with the support of the Traveller community itself. We have a better model in place and we are seeking to enhance it. That is the backdrop to this decision.

Obviously, it is the patron not the Department that closes a school. It is the patron which makes the decision on a matter like this. However, the Department has been working to see a better outcome and to move to a setting in which there is a wider range of subject choices and more supports. That is the direction in which this is going. I am acutely aware of the concerns raised by the Deputy. Equally, I am determined that no child is displaced by this. It is very important to work with Tusla and the patron through my Department and other schools to ensure these young men are supported in their continuing education.

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