Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 18 September 2025

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community

Implementation of National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II and Action Plan 2024-2026: Department of Children, Disability and Equality

2:00 am

Photo of Joe O'ReillyJoe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Colleagues have touched on the next issue and obviously as the day goes on there can be an element of repetition. The whole idea of the work employment scheme is so exciting and important. One would not have to be a rocket scientist or a great sociologist to observe that among the greatest problems among the Traveller community is unemployment and the lack of positive ways to reach personal fulfilment in that sphere. The work employment scheme is great. Will it capture people who have varying levels of skill and maybe no experience of work? When I hear the words "Civil Service" I am inclined to think of jobs in education and administration. There is no reason a number of Travellers should not do that work. Of course they should and that is the ultimate aim. How widespread and catch-all will the employment effort be?