Vol. 517 No. 3
279 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if he received letters from women participating on the Traveller women's training programme in Bray, County Wicklow; the response, if any, he has to their request for computers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9576/00]
The correspondence referred to by the Deputy was received in my office on 3 April 2000.
The individual concerned draws attention to the arrangement whereby she has access to a computer for one and a half hours per week in the County Wicklow VEC Bray Adult Learning Centre and is seeking financial support towards the purchase of a computer for use in the home.
The position is that there are no funds available to my Department to support the purchase of a computer for use in the individual's home in such cases.
County Dublin Vocational Education Committee provides a range of education and training options for persons from the Traveller community at St. Kieran's training centre in Bray. This centre is equipped with personal computers and incorporates an information and communications technology – ICT – module in its training programme. There is no upper age limit and it is open to adults to register in the centre. The VEC has indicated that any persons from the Traveller community who wish to participate in the programme will be facilitated. The VEC would also be willing to consult with the Bray traveller group with a view to determining how best to respond to its needs in a realistic and flexible manner.
