Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Traveller Education Service.

Seán Crowe

Question:

210 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in implementing the recommendation of the report of the Task Force on the Traveller Community with regard to the establishment of a Traveller education service. [22174/02]

My Department is committed to ensuring the maximum possible participation of Traveller children in the education system and the delivery of an education service which is appropriate to the needs of these children. At present, Traveller children have access to a range of special support services to facilitate their participation in the education system. These services extend from special provision at pre-school level to support services to encourage participation in the first and second level systems. At present, there are 51 pre-schools for Traveller children and children attending the primary school system are supported by approximately 400 special resource teachers for Travellers. Traveller children of pre-school age and in the first and second level systems are also supported by the visiting teacher service for Travellers.

An Advisory Committee on Traveller Education was established in my Department in 1998. This committee is representative of all the partners in education and Traveller interests as well as officers of the Department. In addition, a senior official post has been designated within my Department to take a lead role in co-ordinating the development of a continuum of supports to facilitate Traveller participation in education at every level of the system.

Top
Share