Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the statistics which show that only one in every ten children from the Traveller community who enrols in school goes on to complete his or her post-primary education; and, in view of these statistics, his plans to address this crisis. [14459/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A survey carried out by the Visiting Teachers Service for Travellers on Traveller enrolment found that in September 2009, over 11,300 young Travellers were enrolled in school, 8,301 at primary level and 3,014 in mainstream at post-primary. Progress at primary level has been taking place on a steady basis over the past twenty five years while progress at post-primary level has been more evident in recent years. The September 2009 enrolment shows more than a doubling of Traveller enrolment in post-primary since September 2000 when there were 1,165 Traveller students enrolled. Over the four year period to 2009 the number of Traveller pupils sitting Junior Certificate has increased by over 50% from 292 in 2005 to 442 in 2009. Likewise the number sitting Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied has more than doubled from 43 in 2005 to 103 in 2009.

While the data points to a fall off before completion of the Leaving Certificate many Travellers remain engaged with education in alternative settings. Youthreach is an integrated programme of education, training and work experience, for young people in the 15-20 age group who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training. There are almost 6,000 places available nationwide under the Youthreach umbrella. The programme is funded by the Department of Education and Skills with some 3,700 of these places provided by VECs in Youthreach centres with the remaining places provided by FÁS in Community Training Centres. The latest available annual survey (2010) of participants showed that of a total of 6,000 learners, 800 identified themselves as Travellers. All Further Education programmes are open to Travellers and include both full time programmes (Post Leaving Certificate programme; Vocational Educational Opportunities Scheme; and Youthreach) and part time programmes (Back to Education Initiative; and Adult Literacy and Community Education).

The Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy was launched in 2006, following wide ranging consultation with stakeholders including Traveller representatives. It covers all aspects of Traveller education from preschool to further and higher education. A core principle of the strategy is that allocation of resources is based on 'individual educational need' rather than 'Traveller identity'. My department's aim is to prioritise the available resources to maximum effect across the education sector to enhance educational outcomes for all children and adults including Travellers.

Under the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, the Resource Teaching posts for Travellers will be withdrawn, effective from 31st August 2011. In order to assist schools, with high concentrations of Traveller pupils, limited alleviation or adjustment measures are being provided. As such, alleviation measures are being concentrated on schools which had 33 or more pupils supported by RTT posts, based on 2009/10 school year enrolments. Furthermore Traveller enrolments have been included in the valid enrolment for the purpose of allocating additional staffing under DEIS from the 2011/12 school year.

The Visiting Teachers Service for Travellers (VTST) will also be discontinued from September 2011 under the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014. The VTST is managed by the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) alongside the School Completion Programme (SCP), Home School Community Liaison Service (HSCL) and the Education Welfare Service (EWS). While responsibility for the NEWB has transferred to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the two departments will work together to ensure that the services in the NEWB, including the SCP, HSCL and the EWS will have a renewed focus to more effectively target and support all children at risk, including Traveller children.