Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for taking the time to discuss this very important issue of what will be a life-changing report for many Travellers. It has been seven months since the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community published its report and four months since I addressed the Dáil on its recommendations. I thank members of the committee, as well as those of the previous committee that came before us, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the clerk to the committee, Mr. Leo Bollins, for all their hard work in making this report possible.

The key recommendations came from national and local Traveller organisations and activists to make sure we have equality of opportunity in Irish society. The committee report offers 84 recommendations in four main areas, which include education, particularly at second and third level, employment, accommodation and, most importantly in my opinion, mental and physical health. Today, I hope we will receive a clearer picture of where we stand in respect of the implementation of the recommendations, most of which are not new.What we are seeking for Travellers is very simple - inclusive education, delivered health services, especially mental health, safe and culturally appropriate accommodation and an equal chance in employment. We have seen too many reports and studies that highlighted how Travellers have been failed in these areas. I genuinely hope this will be the last time I will have to discuss this report and no actions being taken. As Deputy Ó Cuív and I said at the launch of this report, it is not reports or debates that changes things, it is action. A lack of action would mean a loss of hope for many Travellers who need these actions to be implemented as soon as possible.

I will not go through all 84 recommendations. I will discuss two very important ones for now. There are certain key areas that would provide structure for change that will finally bring the Traveller community the services and supports we deserve. We must establish a national Traveller accommodation authority to oversee the development and implementation of Traveller accommodation policy. The current system of local authority provision of accommodation for Travellers has not worked and will not work. Time and again we have been failed by local authorities. Between 2008 and 2019, local authorities left more than €72 million unspent on Traveller accommodation, yet the accommodation needs of the Traveller community are still serious. Who will be held to account for Traveller families living in homeless accommodation, unsafe accommodation and overcrowded accommodation? The call for a national Traveller accommodation authority was in the expert review of Traveller accommodation in 2019. The then Minister committed to it.

The second recommendation is the most important, in my opinion. There must be a national Traveller mental health strategy with a ring-fenced budget. There must be clear timelines for delivery in mental health. We need a national Traveller mental health strategy steering group in partnership with all key stakeholders and, most importantly, Travellers, to oversee its development and implementation. The critical voice of the national Traveller mental health network must be at the heart of this steering group. The Government promised a national Traveller mental health strategy in the current programme for Government. Only a stand-alone strategy will turn the tide in the mental health crisis in our community. If we get one commitment from the Minister today, would we be able to discuss the stand-alone strategy in the programme for Government? Is it not ironic that there are three Ministers of State with responsibility for health, including mental health, as well as the Minister, yet there is extremely little action when it comes to Traveller mental health? Could the Minister tell us what is happening with these recommendations and the implementation of the mental health strategy?

I will hand over to Senator Higgins.