asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the menace to the social order which is caused by the increasing number of tinkers and other vagrants who infest remote areas in every county; that the children of these people do not attend school and grow up illiterate, learning nothing but the elements of crime to which their conditions make them easy addicts; and, if so, if he will introduce legislation to check these evils as the present laws do not seem adequate to deal with them effectively.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tinkers and other Vagrants.
Mr. Boland
According to a census which was taken by the Gárda Síochána on the 6th of this month the number of vagrants camping out on that date was 5,151, of whom 2,740 were over 14 years of age, and 2,411 were under 14 years of age. The whole of the country, except the Dublin metropolitan area and the county boroughs of Cork, Limerick and Waterford, was included in the census.
It is extremely difficult to enforce the School Attendance Act in respect of the children of vagrants on account of the manner in which they move around the country. The question of introducing legislation to amend the School Attendance Act is a matter for the Minister for Education.