Ms Jacinta Brack:

It is a note of positivity that a number of positive outcomes came out of the committee's most recent report and, in fact, since the most recent NTRIS. As the Cathaoirleach knows, that strategy is currently being reviewed for the next stage. It is an interesting time. The employment measure was referenced, which was a very positive development. The promise in the programme for Government was a Traveller and Roma training, employment and enterprise plan. The Irish Traveller Movement has employed three staff in the area of apprenticeships for Travellers, as the Cathaoirleach knows, and in the area of looking at the first stage of the development of a Traveller employment strategy, as such.

Many other things have, let us say, been bolstered since the committee's report with regard to resourcing in the area of education and further education. Last year, a commitment of €5.9 million was made towards the Traveller sector with regard to investment in NTRIS. However, there are many gaps in that. Going forward into the new plan, there is no ring-fenced funding across each of the thematic areas. That is a job of work that will be reviewed by the Minister and his Department. In fact, the community has been consulted, as I said, on the roll-out and development of what the next stage will be.

I am very happy to provide an update on the report to the committee and to the Cathaoirleach to give them better insight into each of the areas and themes.