Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2010
196 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science her views on reversing the cutbacks to traveller education centres around the country; if she will examine the work done at one of these centres (details supplied) run by the County of Dublin Vocational Education Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14405/10]
View answerThe 2006 Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy recommended that Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC) provision be reviewed. Subsequently, the 2008 Value for Money Review of the Youthreach and STTC programmes recommended the phasing out of the STTC programme over the medium to long term. It is on this basis that my Department has decided to phase out segregated provision for Travellers.
All full-time and part-time Further Education programmes funded by my Department are already open to Travellers and they are accessing these programmes in increasing numbers. My Department is currently in discussions with the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), representing Vocational Education Committees (VECs), in relation to the phasing out of STTCs and integrating adult Travellers within mainstream further education provision.
