Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on restoring the visiting teacher service for Travellers; and the cost of restoring this programme to primary and post-primary schools. [23205/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's policy in relation to Traveller Education is informed by the Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy which was launched in 2006, following wide ranging consultation with Traveller representative groups and other relevant stakeholders.

The principle of inclusion is at the core of the Strategy. The focus of both current and future provision is on the development of an inclusive school environment through the whole school planning process, teaching practice, admissions policies, codes of behaviour and whole school evaluation. In keeping with this principle, additional resources provided in the education system for children are allocated on the basis of identified individual educational need. This includes Traveller children who require additional resources based on need and not on their identity as Travellers.

Segregated Traveller specific programmes such as the Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers were phased out in line with the principle of inclusion. I don't intend to restore a programme based on a child's identify and not their educational needs.