Ms Brigid Quilligan:

Our recommendations are that a Department of Traveller affairs needs to be set up. I know we have the national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy and it is strong but this problem is so significant that we need a dedicated Department with dedicated staff and resources to oversee this plan. This involves working on the areas of health, accommodation, employment, education, equality, culture, history, language and our representation. Our recommendations also include a national employment action plan for Travellers developed in consultation with Travellers; the inclusion of Travellers in mainstream national employment policy such as the national action plan for jobs and Pathways to Work; and education, training, employment and social enterprise with financial remuneration aimed specifically at those aged over 55 in Kerry. Investment is needed to address the inequality of outcomes in Traveller education. Traveller economy and enterprise should be supported to develop building on the strength that already exists in our community. Internships, apprenticeships and traineeships designed to facilitate Traveller culture should be introduced. Barriers in accessing current further education should be addressed. Affirmative action programmes of employment across all Government Departments, the public sector, the Civil Service and publicly funded non-profit organisations should be introduced.

We thank the committee for the invitation to present our story and trust that we will action and change following the committee's deliberations. I will finish by reading a quote from one member of our community in Kerry.

Your respect and your dignity is everything. That was taken from me and a lot more. We are only numbers. They have completely messed up our young people with this education system. They ask you what you want or need and they do the complete opposite. I'm not wasting any more time telling what I need. A quick look around the cold houses, empty purses, broken-hearted mothers and wives over the drugs, drink and suicide will tell them all they need to know if they care. We have smart people working for us but are ye listened to? No, girleen, ye are not.