Written answers

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Educational Disadvantage

10:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures in place to address literacy and education disadvantage among members of the Traveller community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15130/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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. In the context of The National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 and in keeping with the report, the Government has taken a decision to provide educational teaching supports to Traveller students on the same basis as other students in schools. This means that Traveller students who require additional tuition will receive this tuition through the existing learning support provision in schools. All schools should select students for learning support on the basis of priority of need. Under the National Recovery Plan, the Resource Teaching posts for Travellers and the Visiting Teachers Service for Travellers (VTST) will be withdrawn, effective from 31 August 2011.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. 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. While responsibility for the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) has transferred to my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the two Departments will work together to ensure that the services in the NEWB, including the School Completion Programme, Home School Community Liaison and the Education Welfare Service will have a renewed focus to more effectively target and support all children at risk, including Traveller children. 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).

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