Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2010
261 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to Traveller training projects being the victims of budget restrictions (details supplied); if her Department conducts an assessment of the cutbacks chosen by different subsidiary bodies, to ensure that the impact reflects sound public priorities, particularly in a case such as this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28616/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy is one of the 33 Senior Traveller Training Centres (STTCs) funded by my Department and operated by Vocational Education Committees (VECs). The VEC referred to by the Deputy operates four STTCs.
As part of Budget 2010, with effect from September 2010, STTC provision will be reduced by 300 places nationwide, from 984 places to 684 places. My Department recently advised VECs with regard to the implementation of this reduction and in the VEC referred to by the Deputy, provision will be reduced by 27 places from September 2010. The implementation of this reduction in individual STTCs is a matter for the VEC.
I should point out that the 2006 Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy recommended that STTC provision be reviewed. My Department then conducted a Value for Money Review of the Youthreach and STTC programmes.
The Review was published in 2008 and recommended the phasing out of segregated traveller provision over the medium to long term and the mainstreaming of Traveller specific provision.
All further education programmes, both part-time (Adult Literacy, Community Education and the Back to Education Initiative) and full-time (Youthreach, Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme and Post Leaving Certificate) continue to be open to Travellers. Indeed, Travellers are accessing these programmes in increasing numbers.
My Department is continuing to discuss issues around the phasing out of STTCs and the integration of adult Travellers into mainstream further education provision with the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), representing VECs.
