Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is impossible to sum up. Mr. Joyce gave us the idea of Travellers as the social entrepreneurs of Ireland. That is the history and tradition. He also spoke about Travellers removing themselves from the chains of poverty. Why would any community or group of people not want to do that? The 80% unemployment rate is a national disgrace. Mr. Friel echoed that comment.

Despite that statistic, however, there is no official mention of Travellers in Pathways to Work, so they have no monitoring or data. They do not know. Then it is said people are not engaging. How do we know? Perhaps the offer is not the right one. Perhaps all these offers must be flexible and consequent on what Travellers themselves say.

There is a very strong rural perspective, from both Kerry and Donegal. The fact that there is a preponderance of Travellers employed in Traveller NGOs is great, of course. Who else should be? At the same time, however, there are plenty of organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors that would benefit from Travellers being a part of them. There are useful examples of what can be done, such as South Dublin County Council, if there is a will. Why not replicate that? There are some fantastic ideas and innovations - First Class Insulation, Bounce Back Recycling, Springback Upcycling, Crossbar Bikes - but they are run on a piecemeal basis and on a shoestring. They need to be put on a more solid footing.

We have good models of affirmative action from the primary health initiatives that were taken. If private enterprises are getting money, they should give something back in terms of diversity. Every workplace in the country should be a welcoming one, where nobody has to hide his or her identity but can be out and proud, as we said of a different community, such that people can come to work and be themselves. It is not a matter of asking or seeking, as Ms Quilligan said, but demanding. As Deputy Corcoran Kennedy said, we need a whole-of-Government, whole-of-society approach and need to go up a level. The NITRIS is great but needs to be given an absolute shot in the arm. Deputy Stanton is a very serious and dedicated Minister of State but he needs more powers at his disposal to shift the mental health, unemployment, education, accommodation and health crises. We need serious actions if we are to do that, and our committee is determined to make strong recommendations.

It is hard for the witnesses to have to come here to tell their stories. They have done it well again. We learn from them every week we are here and read their submissions. We will honour the effort they have put in. I thank them so much.

The meeting is now adjourned until 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 January, when we will continue our deliberations with IBEC; the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU; SOLAS; Enterprise Ireland; Irish Life; and, I hope, the ESRI. The work goes on.