Consultation
Traveller and Roma Education Strategy
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The Department of Education has developed a new Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES)
To inform this strategy a wide ranging consultation took place. Phase 1 of the consultation involved an online survey of interested members of the public; the views of Traveller and Roma students and parents and the wider Traveller and Roma communities were particularly welcomed. Phase 2 of the consultation involved targeted consultations with key stakeholders.
This survey is now closed. Many thanks to the 424 participants for taking the time to share your views with us. We are delighted to have received responses from across the Traveller and Roma communities and from across the education system. We are delighted that a large number of respondents also indicated their willingness to be contacted for further consultation.
The Department of Education ran a series of targeted consultations in the development of TRES.
These aimed to find out the views of a range of stakeholders on ways to improve the educational experience and educational outcomes for Traveller and Roma children and young people.
The Department carried out the targeted consultations under three strands: the education system; Traveller and Roma families and communities; and Traveller and Roma children and young people.
You can view the presentations from our school communities consultation events held on the 11 December in the Laois Education Centre below:
For any information on these consultation events or any upcoming consultation event, please contact TRES@education.gov.ie
The Programme for Government has a commitment to “Continue with, and expand, the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education and develop a National Traveller Education Strategy, including a plan to improve access to higher education for members of the Traveller Community.”
You can read more about the existing National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) here .
This is a cross-departmental strategy that takes a whole-of-government approach to improving the lives of Travellers and Roma in practical and tangible ways.
The aim of NTRIS includes achieving equality of education outcomes, supporting an inclusive school community, and promoting a positive culture of respect and protection for the cultural identity of Travellers and Roma in education.
The new strategy, when it is finished, will build on the work of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS).
The development of the the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy involved number of phases of work, including:
- gathering research and evidence planning consultation, including how to ensure the meaningful participation of children and young people in developing the strategy
- holding consultations, through surveys, meetings and other means
- developing a statement of strategy, which will including a targeted implementation plan setting out the actions necessary to achieve the vision
- identifying measures and indicators of success including appropriate targets
The Department of Education is delighted to publish the new Traveller and Roma Education Strategy, developed in close collaboration with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, innovation and Science (DFHERIS). This comprehensive strategy covers the period to 2030 and sets out the Government’s strategic approach to Traveller and Roma Education, with the aim of enhance the educational experience and outcomes for Travellers and Roma across the whole education system.
The full strategy and the first of three two-year Plans for Implementation and Action can be found at the following links:
Traveller and Roma Education Strategy 2024-2026
Plan for implementation and action
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Cineáltas
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For more information on this, please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/52aaf-cinealtas-action-plan-on-bullying/.
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The OECD review aims to provide insights and guidance for the Department of Education and other government departments and agencies to reduce barriers to education for children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage
For more information on this, please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60a94-oecd-review-of-resourcing-schools-to-address-educational-disadvantage-in-ireland-and-supporting-documents/ .
Welcome to the TRES information series which has been designed to inform and engage Traveller and Roma children and young people, their families and communities in relation to education. This is also relevant to anyone working with Traveller and/or Roma in education. Over the course of this series, we will provide accessible information on key education matters, guidelines and policies that are relevant to Traveller and/or Roma education. The information series will be delivered through a variety of formats which will include videos, newsletters and tip sheets.
1. Traveller and Roma Education Strategy
This video has been created to inform people that a Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES) 2024-2030 was published in July 2024. The TRES was developed by the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DCEDIY) and in close collaboration with the Traveller and Roma organisations. The video outlines how the strategy was developed and the aims of the strategy in relation to improving the educational experiences and outcomes for Traveller and Roma children and young people across the whole education system.
2. Reduced School Days
The purpose of this video is to inform Traveller parents/guardians about Reduced School Days (RSD) in schools, what it is and in what situations it is advised. It also informs parents/guardians of their rights and the obligations on schools to follow guidelines where RSD is being used.