David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 109: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the further plans he has to improve circumstances of the Traveller community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The national action plan against poverty and social exclusion, NAP/inclusion, which recognises Travellers as a vulnerable group, includes the objective to improve their life experience through the provision of appropriate education, health and housing services and to remove any remaining barriers to their full participation in the work and social life of the country. To that end a number of targets, specifically for travellers, have been set in the plans covering these areas.

My Department, through the office for social inclusion, OSI, has responsibility for overseeing the implementation and co-ordination of the NAP/inclusion process. The next NAP/inclusion, to cover the period 2006-08, is due in September this year. An extensive consultation process has been undertaken, aimed at informing the development of the next NAP/inclusion. This process highlighted the fact that Travellers' issues should remain a priority in the new plan.

The NAP/inclusion consultation process informs policy makers and social partners considering social issues and contributes to the formulation of realistic targets in the next social partnership agreement, NAP/inclusion and national development plan. My Department is represented on the high level group of senior officials which is overseeing progress on Traveller issues. As far as the social welfare system specifically is concerned, my Department has set out in its customer service charter and action plans the commitments, in terms of service delivery, for all customers including those who are members of the Traveller community.

Groups such as Travellers can access services such as the employment support services, including the back to education and the back to work schemes, in the same way as for other members of the community. These supports aim to help people access employment or to enhance their education so as to improve their opportunities for employment and training.