Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am committed to making progress in enhancing access, participation and success for learners across further education, apprenticeships and higher education. Recent data for 2021-22 indicate that the current number of new Traveller entrants to higher education is 52. The national access plan targets 150 new entrants to higher education from the Traveller community by 2028, so there is a lot of work we need to do collectively to get to that target. I also had a good meeting on this issue with Pavee Point in recent weeks.

Last year, I allocated a fund of €1.35 million over three years to a pilot programme to support learners from the Traveller and Roma communities. The key objective of this funding stream is to increase the participation and progression of Traveller and Roma students in higher education. The fund can be used to support the development of community-based partnerships with the Traveller and Roma communities. The impact of that will be reported by the Higher Education Authority, HEA, in quarter 1 of| 2024. I think that word, "impact", is really important. We all want to get to the same point here. We have had targets for Traveller participation in higher education for many years, and over successive Governments, but we have never yet got there. Measuring against initiatives and the HEA reporting on that will be key to success.

The project plans show there are a diverse range of projects and activities being carried out at both pre- and post-entry levels. A number of other social inclusion measures are aimed at supporting Traveller and Roma learners as part of our action plan for apprenticeships. This includes the Traveller and Roma apprenticeship incentivisation programme. To date, 22 Travellers and one employer have been funded. While an apprenticeship involves a paid employment contract, there may also be associated costs for apprentices, such as buying tools or equipment. To help with this, the Traveller apprenticeship incentivisation scheme and the new social inclusion bursary will provide sums of between €2,000 and €2,500 to apprentices for such costs. There are also a number of programmes and strategies such as Youthreach and the adult literacy for life strategy that are vital in supporting members of the Traveller and Roma community. This includes supporting learners to develop literacy, numeracy and soft skills, in line with the further education and training strategy.

I am conscious that the requirements of full-time education can sometimes provide a barrier to many people, including members of the Travelling community. That is why I am pleased we have a new initiative in place from September 2024 around part-time education and the removal of fees.

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