Ms Anne Costello:

I fully agree with Deputy Ó Cuív that we need to see Travellers in employment to start to break down some of the myths but we need to make workplaces safe for Travellers. I constantly hear from people who are in workplaces, including a young man who is training to be an electrician, about the constant micro-aggressions and the comments about Travellers and other groups. That has a hugely negative impact on people's mental health, where they either deny that they are Travellers or they face a barrage all of the time and have to try to defend themselves. We know from Galway and Mr. Ward's experience that he is inundated with applications for any vacancy that he has because Travellers know that it is safe to work there and the environment is not going to impact on their mental health and well-being. We have outlined how workplaces can be made safe.

The South Dublin County Council introduced internships for Travellers 15 years ago when I worked in Clondalkin. Mr. Joe Horan was the county manager at the time but, unfortunately, he is now deceased. He was at the top of the organisation and he changed its culture because he said that he would not accept racist comments and discrimination. His action had a domino effect on all the other staff and that is why it is so important. If the manager or leader of an organisation says no to discrimination then that mindset will filter down to other staff.

I agree that the public sector must show leadership in this regard. It is the biggest employer and it has the resources to support the employment of Travellers. When Travellers are employed in the public sector, and I am not saying that the private sector should wait until that is in place, but that can really show the huge contribution that Travellers can and do make.

The issue of spent convictions is huge. Let us say an 18-year old commits a number of crimes. After he or she turns his or her lives around, he or she can never get convictions wiped to access opportunities. Again, the public sector is the first organisation that needs to consider this matter and ask whether a conviction matters to the post that is being applied for. If it does not, then it should not be taken into account.

Mr. Ward will talk about social enterprise. He can talk about First Class Insulation and what happened with that very strong social enterprise.