Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on each action outlined in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 that fall under his Department’s remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27976/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality published the National Traveller Roma Inclusion Strategy in June of last year. My department participated in the development of the strategy and is a member of the Steering Group which was established to oversee the implementation of the new strategy. Membership of the Steering Group includes all relevant Government Departments, Agencies and NGOs.

The strategy takes a whole of Government approach to improving the lives of Travellers and Roma in Ireland in practical and tangible ways. There are 149 actions in the strategy covering the themes of Cultural Identity, Education, Employment and Traveller Economy, Children and Youth, Health, Gender Equality, Anti-discrimination and Equality, Public Services, Accommodation and Traveller and Roma Communities. My department and agencies attached to my department have input into 31 of the 149 actions, six of which are completed and the remaining twenty five are on track.

In accordance with Government policy, provision for Travellers has been mainstreamed with previously segregated provision now funded as part of the mainstream system. Access to and participation in all education sectors are seen as major barriers for Travellers and Roma. To improve these and to retain Travellers and Roma in the education system a pilot project is being developed by Tusla, the State body with a statutory remit in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. The pilot initiative will target the participation and retention of Traveller and Roma children in education. My department is working in collaboration with Tusla, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Justice and Equality along with Traveller and Roma representative groups to improve the educational outcomes for this cohort.