Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2023
112. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education in view of the recommendation of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, if she will provide for the effective implementation of 'reduced timetable' guidelines and measures to prevent their disproportionate use on Traveller children; and when she will publish Tusla’s first, second and third quarter 2022 reduced-day outcome reports. [10570/23]
View answer113. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the specific actions undertaken to ensure Traveller parents are aware of the reduced-day guidelines. [10571/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
A commitment was made under the Programme for Government to ensure robust data collection on the use of reduced school days and to further ensure that reduced school days are only used in a manner that is limited, appropriate and absolutely necessary.
My Department issued guidelines to schools on reduced school days in September 2021 which came into effect from 1st January 2022. My Department is working closely with Tusla Education Support Service and the National Council for Special Education to ensure that all students are supported to the greatest extent possible, to attend for the full school day.
It is my intention to publish a report on the use of reduced school days shortly.
Officials from my Department have ongoing engagement with Traveller Representative organisations and this engagement will continue.
