Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 708: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will abolish the cap on the educational programmes for settled travellers to ensure that those who wish to continue their education will be accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20043/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Senior Traveller Training Centres (STTCs) were established in 1974 to provide basic compensatory education for Travellers between the ages of 15 and 25, although the upper age limit has since been abolished. There is a network of thirty-three centres throughout the country catering for just over 1,000 learners. The Senior Traveller Training programme is a positive affirmative action by the Department of Education and Science which seeks to provide an opportunity for members of the Traveller community and other learners to: engage in a programme of learning that affirms their cultural identity; acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate fully in society — Traveller community and settled community — enhance their employability and progress to further education, training, employment or other life choices.

The target group is people over 15 years who have left school with either minimal or no qualifications. Particular effort is made to encourage parents on to the programme, given the impact this can have on their children's subsequent participation in mainstream primary and post-primary education.

The centres have been successful in imparting the essential skills of literacy, numeracy, social and life skills, woodwork, metalwork and home economics, among many others, for Travellers who have left school after primary level or who may not have gone to school at all. Many adult Travellers are now availing of second chance education in these centres. They recognise the value education provides in the context of breaking the cycle of educational and social disadvantage that their community has experienced for many years.

The programme is designed to be two years long encompassing a foundation and a progression phase. In exceptional circumstances learners may attend the programme for three years, if for example they are completing the Leaving Certificate Applied.

After completing their programme in a STTC, a learner has the option of progressing on to other Further Education and training courses provided by the VEC or FAS in their area. These courses may include the part time Back to Education Initiative, full-time Post Leaving Certificate courses, or they may chose from a number of FAS options. A learner during their time in the centre and on completion of a programme at a STTC, can avail of the Adult Educational Guidance service in a VEC to explore options in terms of progression to further education and training.