Ms Maria Joyce:

We need to be careful not to allow Departments to shirk their responsibility. There are appalling standards in Traveller accommodation and poor educational attainment outcomes in education. Fundamental issues underlie everything in Traveller policy, such as racism and discrimination. These issues have to be addressed but that does not take away from the responsibilities of the Department of Health to Travellers' health. They did the study, which came out of nine years of lobbying by the Traveller health advisory committee, which was almost disbanded as the study was being rolled out. We engaged in a review process in good faith but the disbandment of the committee was based on the fact that key stakeholders, in health and other areas, did not engage with it to the necessary level. We were blindsided, however, by what followed and we did not even receive the review until 2018, despite the fact that it had started in 2012. There has been a study but the Department of Health still does not have an action plan or an implementation plan.

Some work has been done on a plan, but it is inadequate. More work needs to be done in this regard.

Mr. Walsh spoke about an upcoming space, workshop or seminar within the Department of Health in respect of the action plan and where it stands. I would like to think that key stakeholders such as Travellers will be engaged in that process. When we gave our feedback on the initial draft, we said we felt it was inadequate. I do not want to keep repeating myself when I say that the Department of Health has responsibilities in this regard. There is evidence from various studies. We need more desegregated data. The Department needs to implement the findings of its studies.