Brian O'Shea
Ceist:99 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to improve facilities for schools which cater for travellers' children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Travellers' Children's Schools.
A survey of the educational provision for the children of travelling families was carried out by my Department's primary school inspectorate.
The report shows that 5,000 traveller children of primary school going age were availing of primary education. The survey also shows;
1. 30 per cent approximately of the pupils availed of special classes;
2. 36 per cent approximately availed of additional assistance on the withdrawal basis to pupils who were partly integrated; and
3. The remainder availed of special classes for travelling children in ordinary national schools and the special capitation grant in respect of such classes has been increased substantially. There are now 143 special classes in operation throughout the country.
Over recent years increasing emphasis has been placed on the provision of pre-schools and 560 children approximately drawn from over 390 families attended these pre-schools.
I am anxious to ensure that the children of travelling families should derive full benefit from the national educational system. I asked my Department to issue a circular in May 1988 to boards of management and principal teachers of national schools urging them to make a special effort to enrol traveller children and to cater for their needs. I am satisfied that every possible step is being taken by my Department to provide in association with the individual school authorities involved a high standard of educational facilities for traveller children at primary and pre-school level.