David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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One of the issues I found very successful was homework clubs whereby Traveller children got assistance with homework because they found that, in their own accommodation, it was not suitable. It was too crowded, too cramped, too noisy. Sometimes the peer pressure mitigated against anybody who wanted to study. That is something as well. I found homework clubs extremely practical, successful and beneficial. We have been trying to push that here. I would be interested in discovering if similar practices exist in other parts of Europe and how successful they are.

I want to come back briefly in the minute I have to the issue of casual racism. I accept what Professor O'Flaherty said about that but I feel that we are missing something here. I am curious as to whether or not there has been any research carried out across the Union. We have got lots of research with respect to the views of the Traveller community on how they feel, but I am not sure whether any research has been carried out among the rest of the population as to why they hold such views about the various communities, in particular Travellers and Roma. I have not seen that anywhere. Has it been done, in Ireland or in Europe, to dig really deeply in there to see where these views are coming from and how they can be addressed? If we come in at it, as Professor O'Flaherty stated, from the point of view of punitive action and accountability, we are coming in after the fact and we are not getting why it is said in the first place. Is this a fear that people have of Traveller families and members of the Traveller community? Why does that exist and how can that be dealt with? I put it to the Professor O'Flaherty that what I am referring to is leading to the prejudice and discrimination. Unless we deal with it at a fundamental grassroots level, we will not succeed.