asked the Minister for Education the total number of itinerant children who are not attending school in the Dublin area; the number of these who live on unserviced sites, and the provision he proposes to make for their education in accordance with Article 42.5. of the Constitution.
Written Answers. - Itinerant Children.
487.
On the basis of a local authority survey in October 1979, it is estimated that in the Dublin city and county area there are: (a) 240 travelling families with permanent-type accommodation; (b) 210 travelling families without permanent-type accommodation.
It is understood that the majority of the children from the families of category (a) and some children from the families of category (b) are attending school. Statistics are not available of the total number of children in the area who are not attending school.
Some children attend special schools or classes for travelling children while others are integrated into ordinary classes in local national schools. I am satisfied that the provision being made to meet the situation is appropriate to the circumstances.