Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2023
72. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education how Tuam, County Galway was identified to participate in the STAR programme was developed by NTRIS 2017 – 2021; how this programme is funded; when this programme is due to finish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53942/23]
View answerIn line with actions under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), a pilot project, Supporting Traveller and Roma (STAR) in education, was established and rolled out incrementally from September 2019 in specific Traveller and Roma communities regionally, with the aim of addressing the barriers impacting on Traveller and Roma attendance, participation and retention in education. There are four pilot sites in Galway (Tuam), Wexford, Dublin and Cork.
Stakeholders in the project include my Department, Tusla Educational Support Service (TESS), the Department of Children, Equality Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), and Traveller and Roma representative bodies. Based on data available in areas with large Traveller and Roma populations, the locations for the pilot were identified and agreed by the relevant departments and stakeholders.
My Department and DCEDIY fund the pilot project jointly. My Department provides funding for the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) and Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) supports in the project, while DCEDIY funds the Traveller and Roma education workers. The cost of the pilot project is around €1.1 million per year.
The pilot project was initially set up for a two-year period. It has been extended twice, most recently to June 2024, recognising, among other things, the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 and the commitment to an independent evaluation of the pilot project.
It is intended that learnings from the pilot project will inform the development of future Traveller and Roma education policy, including the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy, which my Department is currently developing. My Department has commissioned an independent evaluation of the STAR pilot project which is being carried out by the Centre for Effective Services. The evaluation is being supported through a Research Advisory Group including representatives from the Traveller and Roma organisations. The report, when complete, will provide evidence and inform the development of the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy which is due to be finalised in June 2024.
