John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1019. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school exists exclusively for the Traveller community (details supplied); under what grounds is it designated as a special school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40990/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Youth is firmly committed to supporting inclusive education and ensuring that all children and young people have access to appropriate educational provision tailored to their individual needs.

St Kieran's Primary School, Bray, is a recognised primary school and therefore must admit all applicants unless it is oversubscribed. As with all other recognised schools St. Kieran’s school must comply with the requirements of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.

Parental choice is a key principle of the admissions process under the Act, which aligns with the Department’s broader commitment to inclusive education. The Department engages regularly with the school’s patron on a wide range of issues and will continue to do so.

The Department’s commitment to inclusive education for Traveller and Roma students is further reinforced by the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES) 2024–2030, published on 16 July 2024, along with its accompanying Plan for Implementation and Action 2024–2026. TRES is a six-year strategy that builds on existing work across the entire continuum of education from early learning and childcare to school, further education, and higher education.

The strategy aims to improve educational outcomes and ensure equity of access, opportunity, and meaningful participation for all Travellers and Roma. It explicitly acknowledges that these communities are among the most disadvantaged and marginalised in Ireland. While educational outcomes have improved over the past seven years, they remain significantly below those of the general population. The Department remains committed to addressing these disparities through targeted actions and ongoing engagement with communities, schools, and stakeholders.

Further information on the strategy and its implementation plan can be found on gov.ie here - Traveller and Roma Education Strategy