Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will continue to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17223/18]

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the correspondence he has had with a school (details supplied) in relation to funding for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17224/18]

Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the decision to withdraw funding from a school (details supplied) which will effectively close the school entirely in June 2018 will be postponed; if the school will be phased out over a two year period to allow the older students from the Traveller community complete the leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17250/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150 and 155 together.

Education provision on an inclusive basis is a fundamental principle of our education and training system. Ensuring every child is supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for this Government and My Department is committed to improving educational outcomes for members of the Traveller and Roma communities.

The details supplied by the Deputies’ relate to a school with Special School designation dating from a period when separate education provision for members of the Traveller community was the norm. The phasing out of segregated education provision for Traveller children began in 2006 in accordance with Government policy which was developed in consultation with Traveller representative groups. St. Thomas’s is currently the only remaining education centre where provision for Traveller students is made on a segregated basis.

My Department has been engaging with the Patron of St. Thomas’s for many years to progress the transfer of its student cohort to the mainstream school system in line with this agreed national policy. It is important to note that, as with all schools under private patronage, the decision in relation to school closure, amalgamation etc. ultimately rests with the Patron.

In order to ensure a smooth and effective transition of provision for students, my officials are engaging with the school Patron and the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla in relation to future education provision for the current student cohort in St. Thomas’s. Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service is available to work with parents to source school places for the current pupil cohort.