Mr. Jim Walsh:

I would take guidance on the mobile health units from the Traveller representatives. I think we have a really good model of Traveller-centred and Traveller-driven primary healthcare. I think we should put more resources into that area, rather than having mobile doctors. There can be a gap between where Travellers are and where doctors are. I think we should put the resources into primary care units and build up from the bottom. Other people would be better placed than me to comment further on this matter.

A question was asked about the Traveller task force. The key gap is the lack of a Traveller health action plan. We are working towards filling this massive gap. This is being driven by the HSE, which is in charge of health services. The Department of Health is a very small organisation. Almost €17 billion in resources are with the HSE. That is where the engine is. That is where all the resources are. That is where the personnel are. We need to see the action plan. We are frustrated that we have not seen it. When we see it, we want to be part of it. We want to bring it into the Department. We want to involve Travellers in the discussion on the policy issues. We want to ensure everyone is aware of the direction that is being taken. We need to ensure a clear awareness of Traveller issues is built into new policies when they are being pursued in the Department. That is part of our responsibility. We need to focus on the action plan because that is where the deliverables are. We are committed to being part of that structure. There is no point having a structure in the Department of Health when all the action is somewhere else. The action is in the HSE. We are happy to be part of that with Traveller organisations.