Vol. 492 No. 7
47 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason his Department has no information in relation to the retention rate of traveller children in the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14979/98]
I am aware of the need for improved monitoring of participation and retention rates among traveller children in the education system.
Research conducted by the Task Force on the Travelling Community in 1995 indicated that, of an estimated 5,000 traveller children of primary school age, 4,200 were attending primary schools at that time. This represents a participation rate of 84 per cent.
Increasing numbers of traveller children are being enrolled in post-primary schools, with some 500 pupils now attending at second level.
The task force report, which was published in 1995, made certain recommendations in relation to the collection and collation of statistics on traveller participation rates in the education system. A Co-ordinating Committee on Traveller Education, which is representative of all areas of my Department involved in the delivery of education services to the travelling community, was established in my Department in November, 1996. This committee is responsible for drawing up and overseeing a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the task force recommendations which have implications for my Department. The task force recommendations on improving statistical information on traveller participation rates in the education system will be pursued by this committee in the context of the implementation plan.
