Trevor Sargent
Ceist:11 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science when a senior official in his Department will be appointed to deal exclusively with Traveller education. [31780/01]
Other Questions. - Traveller Education.
The various elements of provision for Traveller education are the responsibility of a number of senior officials in my Department. The Deputy will be aware that, arising from the Cromien report which I commissioned on my Department's operations, systems and staffing, the Government approved a programme of structural reform for the Department which is being negotiated with staff interests. This programme includes reformed departmental structures to reflect greater emphasis on core functions and provide for a thematic as opposed to a sectoral approach to educational provision.
My Department's functions in the area of social inclusion, including provision for Traveller education, are being reviewed by senior officials with a view to the realignment of responsibilities and reform of delivery mechanisms. In the revised structure, a senior official will be designated to take a lead role in co-ordinating the development of a continuum of supports to facilitate Traveller participation in education at every level.