John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 559: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will give authorisation on the draft education strategy completed in October 2005 and adopted by the advisory committee for Travellers education; the reason for the delay and if she will urgently publish the strategy and adopt the recommendations which will impact positively for all Travellers in the education system. [9370/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to the draft education strategy by the advisory committee for Travellers education if her attention has drawn to the fact that the publication and implementation of the recommendations of the strategy should happen in such a time period that new measures will positively impact on the start of the next school year, as further delays in the publication and implementation of the strategy would undoubtedly mean that it would fail to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9371/06]

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the Traveller education strategy will be published; and her views on the perceived lack of Traveller representation on the education disadvantage committee. [9565/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 559, 560, 563 together.

I expect to receive shortly a report on the recommendations for a five year Traveller education strategy. This report spans the full spectrum of lifelong learning from pre-school to adult and further education. It also emphasises the important role that Traveller parents have in their own education and that of their children. The report is in the final stages of preparation. Inclusion is a core principle which has guided the development of this report.

The report will provide me with advice and guidance on how best to continue to cater for and improve the education provision for the Traveller community. The education needs of the Traveller community are a high priority for me and my Department and I look forward to examining the report.

With regard to representation on the educational disadvantage committee, my Department has written to the education partners seeking their views on the composition and future work of the committee. When all of these have been received and considered I will appoint members to the new committee as provided for under section 32 of the Education Act 1998.