Written answers

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Traveller Community Issues

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

35. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the very poor E grade awarded to the Government in the Children's Rights Alliance Report Card 2013 for its unsatisfactory performance in relation to Traveller children; the positive plan of action she will put in place to improve the Government's performance regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32354/13]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Children’s Rights Alliance’s Report Card 2013 comments on the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of all Travellers including Traveller children. The Programme for Government commits the Government to promoting greater co-ordination and integration of delivery of services to the Traveller community across Government, using available resources more effectively to deliver on principles of social inclusion, particularly in the area of Traveller education.

In so far as my Department is concerned, the report card is being considered in the context of the National Children and Young People’s Policy Framework which follows on from the National Children’s Strategy 2000-2010. The Framework is expected to cover the 5 year period from 2014 to 2018. In this regard, the views of the Children’s Rights Alliance, including those contained in the Report are being taken into account in the development of the Framework, and indeed the Children's Rights Alliance are members of the National Advisory Council (NCAC), which has advised my Department on the Framework.

With regard to education, the Government, through its various interventions in the education sector, is committed to improved retention rates, better learning experiences and improved outcomes for all children, including children who are members of the Travelling community. Recorded overall Traveller participation rates in education in recent years show a steady increase, as do rates for participation in the junior cycle and for progression to senior cycle.

Current policy in relation to Traveller education is underpinned by the Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy which was developed following wide ranging consultation with Traveller representative groups. The Strategy covers, in a very comprehensive manner, aspects of Traveller Education from pre-school right through to further and higher education within a lifelong learning context. The principle of inclusion is at the core of the Strategy and, accordingly, the focus of both current and future provision is on the development of a more inclusive school environment through the whole school planning process, teaching practice, admissions policies, codes of behaviour and whole school evaluation. Additional resources are allocated, therefore, on the basis of individual educational need rather than that of ethnic or cultural background.

Implementation of the Strategy is undertaken by the Department of Education and Skills in consultation with representatives of the Traveller community through the Traveller Education Strategy Advisory and Consultative Forum.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.