The development of a reward-based scheme for school attendance involving increased children's allowance payments has been suggested as part of a five-year action plan on traveller/ settled community issues adopted by members of Tralee Urban District Council.
The plan has been published as a result of a consultative process established by Kerry County Council and Tralee UDC to address issues between the travelling and settled communities.
The process began last September following legal actions taken by residents' groups in the town.
Outlining some proposals included in the plan, a Kerry County Council social worker, Mr Jack Tonra, said school attendance among the travelling community was a major problem.
The plan proposes the appointment of two school attendance officers for the county.
It also suggests the development of a reward-based system for school attendance in consultation with the Department of Education and the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs. Mr Tonra said the system could involve increased children's allowance payments based on school attendance and would apply to all children, not just those in the travelling community.
The plan suggests the development of a traveller-relevant curriculum at primary level, and a reappraisal of junior training centres as well as the possible payment of training allowances to traveller children on second- and third-level courses. Adult education courses should be altered to become more job- and skill-oriented, Mr Tonra said.
There was also a suggestion that local authorities would act as guarantors for private landlords agreeing to provide accommodation for travellers. The plan found most travellers on the roadside in Tralee were young married couples who sought standard accommodation and were denied the opportunity to rent a flat or house.
The council estimates that 40 houses will be required over the next five years to meet the accommodation needs of the town's travelling community. Mr Tonra said it was hoped the private sector would cater for 50 per cent of the estimated need by the introduction of letting guarantees by local authorities.