Educational arrangements for Travellers

Traveller children have the same rights to education as settled children. They are also subject to the same rules on school attendance.

A Traveller child can access additional learning supports in primary school and supports in post-primary school if there is an identified educational need.

Travellers were formally recognised as a distinct ethnic group within the Irish State in March 2017. The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021(pdf) is a cross-Departmental initiative to improve the lives of the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. The Department of Education, Tusla and Traveller Representative Groups collaborate on education related measures proposed in the strategy, to improve Traveller engagement with education.

Co-ordination of Traveller education

The Advisory Committee on Traveller Education published a Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy (pdf). A key objective of the report was the phasing out of segregated Traveller provision and the inclusion of Traveller children and young people in mainstream education.

Guidelines on Traveller education in primary schools and post-primary schools are available from the Department of Education.

The Department of Education is responsible for the co-ordination of Traveller education at primary and post primary level.

The Department of Further and Higher Education is responsible for Traveller education at further education and higher education.