Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to discuss some of the work done in the past two years to make life better for the Traveller community. The Irish Traveller Movement is considering creating internships in public offices and public services for members of the Traveller community. Offices will be paid for giving Travellers equal opportunity for employment purposes, which is a plus. Recently, money was given to fund Traveller health and mental health services. That is also a plus. There has been some very positive action over the past two years.

The Oireachtas should re-establish the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community now that the Joint Committee on Autism is coming to an end. I would appreciate the support of all Senators because there are an awful lot of outstanding issues that still impact the Traveller community. I could talk all day about some of the statistics. For example, one in 11 deaths in the Traveller community is caused by suicide. Traveller women live 12 years less than women in the settled community and Traveller men live 15 years less than men in the settled community. Those statistics show that Travellers are worth less in Irish society. The re-establishment of the joint committee would help us to deal with some of the inequalities but, most important, it would bring about action and hold the Government to account.

The Traveller caravan loan scheme is not working. It was meant to work for every Traveller in the country. In Galway the community only got three caravans.

It is two years since the Seanad debated Traveller accommodation. I would appreciate the support of my colleagues for arranging a debate in January with the relevant Minister on how the Traveller accommodation budget was spent in 2022. I want to be able to hold the Government to account.

The positive actions of the past two years are little steps. I always give out about what is not being done right but this morning I want to acknowledge those positive actions.