Traveller and Roma Education Strategy
The Department of Education published the 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) in July 2024. The strategy covers the period to 2030 and sets out the Government’s strategic approach to Traveller and Roma Education, with the aim of enhancing the educational experience and outcomes for Travellers and Roma across the whole education system.
Please click here for the Department of Education and Youth’s TRES webpage.
The Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES) team within Tusla plays a vital role in promoting inclusive and equitable education for Traveller and Roma children and young people. Working under the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), the team collaborates with schools, families, and communities to support improved attendance, participation, retention, and outcomes in education for Traveller and Roma children and young people. Their work includes implementing key actions from the TRES 2024–2030 strategy, such as supporting student transitions between educational stages, addressing reduced school days, and promoting cultural awareness.
The TESS TRES team has operational responsibility for the Community Link Worker pilot programme. Community Link Workers are based in fifteen areas of the country and are based in School Completion Programme (SCP) projects. They support schools, families and communities, and work collaboratively with other TESS service strands, namely the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the Educational Welfare Service (EWS) to support improved educational outcomes for Traveller and Roma children and young people.
The Community Link Workers provide an important support for Traveller and Roma parents and families, and they help to overcome barriers to education for their children.
Contained in this website are resources to support schools, parents and families, children and young people and practitioners. If the information you are seeking is not provided on this website, or if you have any questions about the work of the TESS TRES team, please contact us at TRES@tusla.ie
TESS TRES Team |
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Colma Nic Lughadha, TESS National Manager: Responsibility for School Completion Programme and TRES
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Clare Garrett, TESS TRES General Manager: Responsibility for TESS TRES actions, TRES team and the Community Link Worker pilot programme
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Megan Berry and Caroline Mhic Eoin, TESS TRES Coordinators: Responsibility for supporting the implementation of TESS TRES actions and supporting the Community Link Worker pilot programme
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TRES HSCLs based in ex-STAR pilot areas, to support Traveller and Roma parents/guardians and families
*Supporting Traveller and Roma Project (2019 - 2025)
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Community Link Workers, based in SCP projects across 15 areas of the country, to support parents, families, schools and communities around improved engagement in education.
Community Link Worker areas: Carlow/Kilkenny, Clondalkin/Tallaght, Cork, Dublin (Finglas, Ballymun, Coolock), Donegal (Letterkenny), Dundalk, Ennis, Galway City East, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Mullingar, South Kerry, Tuam, Wexford
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Contact us at TRES@tusla.ie
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