David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share the Deputy's concerns on these matters. I emphasise that the strategy is a living document. NTRIS is an inclusion strategy. It is not an integration strategy. There is a subtle difference. It runs until 2021 and includes 149 recommendations. Cultural identity is a big part of that, along with education, employment, health and accommodation. Those are the most important themes but there are others. I do not know if the Deputy has had the opportunity to review the strategy but I invite her to do so and would be interested in hearing her views. The Traveller organisations were every much involved in drawing up the report and are heavily involved with the monitoring committee. They are having a major impact and we value it greatly. They are very much part of what is happening.

The Deputy mentioned cultural heritage. In July, two elements of Traveller culture were inscribed in Ireland's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage, specifically the Cant-Gammon language and tinsmithing. This is evidence of a Government commitment to protect, promote and celebrate these living cultural heritage practices, customs, crafts and traditions. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is responsible for the delivery of funding to practices recognised on this list, through its cultural projects funding. The specifics of the allocation of funding however, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Madigan, and her Department.

I welcome the Deputy's interest in this matter. We are working very hard with the Traveller organisations to progress all the actions in the strategy.

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