Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to restoring the visiting teacher system for Traveller children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28271/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As my colleague will be aware the statutory and policy remit in area of attendance, participation and retention in the school system lies with the Education Welfare Service of Tusla which incorporates the function of the former Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers.

In May 2011 a range of functions under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, including the operation of the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) and the integrated services under its remit were transferred from the Minister of Education and Skills to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.  The full budget for the National Educational Welfare Board transferred to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.The relevant functions and related funding subsequently transferred to TUSLA on its establishment in January 2014.

The Visiting Teacher Service for Travellers ceased in September 2011 in line with Departmental policy on the mainstreaming of supports for all children including Travellers.  Traveller children continue to be supported by the integrated Educational Welfare Service of Tusla.

In response to actions in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy and my Departments DEIS Plan, a 2 year Pilot Programme is being developed to target attendance, participation and school completion in specific Traveller and Roma Communities regionally. Tusla is leading this initiative and my Department is working in collaboration them, the Department of Justice and Equality along with the Traveller and Roma representative bodies and Communities.

My Department also continues to provide a number of Traveller-specific supports to assist with the transition to the mainstream system of pupils, previously provided for in segregated provision.  These comprise of:

- 141 alleviation resource teacher posts for schools with significant numbers of Travellers at a current cost of €8.46 million.

- Additional pupil capitation for Travellers at a rate of €70 per pupil for Primary, and €201 per pupil for Post Primary at a current cost of €1.11m.