CIRCUS and fairground children will benefit educationally next year when a pilot programme is put in place.
The Limerick Education Centre, nominated by the Department of Education, last year initiated a project through which children from circus and fairground families could receive educational support while on tour.
The EU supported the Gold Card Project through the Socrates programme. A, total of 173 children are eligible.
The president of the Irish Showmen's Guild, Mr William Bird, was liaison officer for the families while the centre was represented by Mr Liam O Broin, director, and Mr David O Grady, Gold Card project co ordinator.
Mr O'Grady said:"The children from the circus and fairground families need and are entitled to a full education, but their lifestyle demands that they miss out on many months of school and during the touring season.
The pilot programme is also available to the children of European circus and fairground families working here.