Strategy to improve higher education turnout of Traveller and Roma children

The Irish government aims to increase the number of Traveller and Roma children remaining in school to achieve a Leaving Certificate.

This comes as a six-year strategy to improve educational outcomes was published earlier this week. 

The Department of Education said the strategy has been "specifically developed to meet the needs of children, young people and adults from the Traveller and Roma communities" with the aim of enhancing their education and outcomes.

Norma Foley, minister for education of Ireland, said the strategy was "ambitious yet practical."

She said: "As the actions evolve over the coming years I am confident that they will result in real changes to improve the experience of and outcomes for Traveller and Roma children and young people in our education system."

There have been a variety of key actions outlined in the strategy including increasing the numbers of young people remaining in school until sixth year and achieving a Leaving Certificate, promoting diversity in the education workforce, and teaching Traveller culture and history through the curriculum.

The Irish government also said they would research and identify the barriers discouraging young people from the Irish Traveller community from accessing tertiary education. Family Link Workers will also be appointed to support the full roll out of a parenting support programme.

In 2019, EU researchers found that 70 per cent of young people from the Irish Traveller community were not in further education or training, compared to 5 per cent of young Irish people generally.