Minister Foley welcomes positive findings of report into the Education Community Development Worker Scheme for Traveller and Roma children

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has welcomed the positive findings of a scheme which employs Traveller and Roma community workers to support children in schools.

The scheme, which began in 2022, is the first of its kind to employ Traveller and Roma workers to improve the primary and post-primary school experience for Traveller and Roma children in ten different areas of the country.

The evaluation of the Education Community Development Worker Scheme found that children felt they can talk to someone who they trust and who is also a Traveller, who “gets it”.

The development workers provided one-to-one support, lunchtime clubs, afterschool clubs, cultural workshops and arts projects which were publicly displayed. They also organised campus visits to further and higher education institutions.

The evaluation report stated:

Parents and guardians of Traveller children reported that they feel better equipped to engage with schools when they can reach out to the development workers for support.

Schools reported that attendance has improved and highlighted the importance of having a dedicated development worker. They were forthcoming in pointing out the value of “having Travellers in the position, supporting Travellers”.

Minister Foley said:

The scheme is funded by an annual allocation of €650,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund and overseen by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

The goals of the scheme include improve the learning experience and educational outcomes for Traveller and Roma students, improving attendance, participation and retention and improving parental/ guardian engagement with the school community.

The evaluation found that progress has been made towards meeting all the goals of the Scheme but that more work needed to be done to increase the number of Roma involved in it.

The report from the review can be accessed through the link here.

ENDS

• The Traveller and Roma Education Community Development Worker Scheme was developed in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, which exacerbated already existing educational inequalities for Traveller and Roma children and young people. The Scheme has been in operation since 2022.

• The number of Travellers living in Ireland counted through Census 2022 was 32,949 and there are 16,059 Roma living in Ireland.

• An independent evaluation of the Roma Education Community Development Worker project was undertaken to: inform decisions by the Department relative to further development of the Scheme, inform future policy development in relation to DCDE’s central role in coordinating the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II (NTRIS II) action plans and objectives; and, contribute to the work of Government Departments in the development of education policies to meet the needs of the Traveller and Roma communities.

• The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028 (NTRIS II) action 49 commits the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Education and Youth to review the findings of the evaluation of the Education Community Development Worker Scheme.

Examples of the work of Education Community Development Workers provided in the evaluation report

• Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project published a report, Voice of Ballyfermot Traveller Children, which documented students’ experiences and informed school-based supports. They delivered cultural workshops, creative arts projects, a lunchtime club, and one-to-one support to prevent exclusions. They also promoted stronger parent engagement through reading workshops and support during disciplinary actions.

• Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group worked to address discrimination and support family advocacy. They completed a research study on education barriers, set up afterschool clubs, and created spaces for parents to connect and share experiences. They engaged schools in cultural awareness training and worked to foster more positive relationships between Traveller families and educators.

• Bray Travellers Community Development Group used lived experience to shape their programme. They held regular consultations with families and schools, ran a twice weekly afterschool programme with a focus on wellbeing, and hosted parent evenings to identify key education issues. They also engage children and young people in arts based projects, which have been displayed publicly. Their engagement with local school stakeholders informed an evolving education strategy tailored to Traveller needs.

• Galway Traveller Movement addressed literacy, racism, and stakeholder engagement. They developed a Literacy for Parents programme with the University of Galway, ran cultural and anti-racism workshops, and built links with schools and family support networks. Their outreach supported increased school participation and a stronger community voice in education planning.

• Meath Travellers Workshop focused on academic supports and practical life skills. They partnered with DKIT to provide grinds and access to learning tools like Studyclix, and delivered CV workshops, and cultural events. Their work supported disengaged students and encouraged participation in post-secondary options like apprenticeships and Youthreach.

• Waterford, Mincéirí Port Láirge expanded their Brighter Futures Club to nine schools. They ran cultural activities such as beady pocket workshops and helped secure funding for a dedicated literacy worker. Their work increased visibility of Traveller culture in schools and supported more families through outreach and referrals.

• Wicklow Travellers Group supported youth engagement and school inclusion. A Traveller youth group they worked with became a finalist in a national inclusion competition. They advocated for Leaving Certificate Applied programmes in underserved areas, and supported school and family links through home visits, drop-ins, and youth activities.