Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

430 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in each sector awaiting for longer than 12 months for repairs required for the basic conditions of health, safety and hygiene. [7060/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, health and safety projects are processed expeditiously by my Department and every effort is made to ensure that the appropriate level of resources is allocated towards the relevant works at individual schools.

The most recent information available also indicates that approximately 800 of the estimated 1,800 traveller children in the 12 to 15 age bracket are in receipt of an education service either in second level schools or in junior education centres.

My Department's estimates of children leaving second level schools without qualification includes traveller children. The annual estimates of early school leaving before transfer to second level are based on the annual census of primary schools conducted by my Department and focus on leavers from ordinary national schools. They do not include children, including travellers, catered for within the special school system.

In order to encourage participation by traveller children in the second level system and support second level schools catering for such children, my Department is introducing a special rate of capitation funding in respect to traveller children attending second level schools.

The Task Force on the Travelling Community attached particular importance to the role of the visiting teacher service for travellers in fostering continued participation by traveller children in the education system, at first and second level. In line with the task force's recommendation, I propose to appoint additional visiting teachers for travellers with effect from September next.

I am aware of the need for improved monitoring of participation and retention rates among children generally and particularly children of the travelling community. One of the key objectives of the forthcoming Education (Welfare) Bill, 1999, will be the introduction of efficient and effective procedures for monitoring school attendance by all children, including traveller children, and ensuring early intervention to support any child who drops out of the system or is in danger of doing so. The Bill will also provide for the effective exchange of information between the various bodies concerned with provision for traveller children and the issue of drop-out among this group.