Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the work being carried out by a centre (details supplied) in County Clare; the possible implications for this centre of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes report; if he will continue to make funding available to this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39711/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The centre mentioned by the Deputy is a Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC). The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended that STTC provision be phased out over a period of 2 - 3 years.

This proposal, like other proposals made by the Special Group, is currently being considered in the context of the estimates and budget process.

The full suite of further and adult education programmes, such as the Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme (VTOS), the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), Youthreach, Adult Literacy and Community Education, continue to be available to all learners, including Travellers. In fact, Travellers are already participating in these programmes, especially in areas where there is no STTC.