Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the special arrangements in place within his Department and at the point of service delivery to meet the needs of the Traveller community; and if his attention has been drawn to particular difficulties experienced by members of the Traveller community in accessing services. [37598/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a number of projects which either directly or indirectly provide Traveller support. The details are given in the appendix. I am not aware of any difficulties experienced by members of the Traveller community in accessing these services. However, if the Deputy is aware of any particular difficulty experienced, I would be glad to examine this.

Appendix

Community Development Programme, CDP. Travellers are one of a number of target groups that benefit under the community development programme. While a significant number of the 185 projects within the programme would identify Travellers as beneficiaries of their activities, services, etc., to a greater or lesser extent, 20 projects are funded that specifically focus on providing Traveller support. Training courses, support groups, provision of information and child care provision are examples of the type of supports typically made available.

The local development and social inclusion programme, LDSIP, aims to counter disadvantage and to promote equality and social and economic inclusion through the provision of funding and support to local partnerships.

Area partnerships and community partnerships across the country run programmes and courses that specifically target the Traveller community under the LDSIP. These include projects that meet the needs of Traveller men in relation to stabling, training and economics of their horses — this also acts as a forum for development work with Traveller men; primary health care training — preparing Traveller women to be health promotion workers in their community — it also works with Traveller men, through training; dedicated homework clubs for and youth workers for Traveller children; projects that aim to provide family support and educational opportunities for Travellers; and active citizen initiatives.

Under the funding scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector funding to the Traveller community is as follows: National Traveller Women's Forum —€141,000 over three years 2003-06, €47,000 per annum. The Irish Traveller Movement is being funded on a yearly basis. In 2004, it received €143,065 in two tranches. In 2005, it received €150,220 in two tranches.

Under the training and supports scheme the National Association of Travellers Centres is being funded for three years also to the sum of €105,000. Annual payments of €35,000 are made to the group.

My Department has also provided funding under the programme of grants for locally-based community and voluntary organisations. This programme supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups addressing disadvantage in their community. The programme consists of two schemes — one makes funds available for the purchase of essential equipment and for the small scale refurbishment of premises. This is complemented by a second scheme to provide education, training and research grants.

Grants of up to 90% of the cost are available under this programme. The maximum grant for refurbishment is €40,000; equipment is €10,000; and training, education and research is €10,000. I approved grants of €98,000 to groups working with Travellers across the country under the 2004 programme and I have approved grants of €33,000 so far under the 2005 programme to such groups.