Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action that has been taken in response to the recent recommendation of the high level group on Traveller issues (details supplied) calling for the immediate development of a Traveller data collection strategy which would supply policy makers and service providers with the means of assessing need and planning for the future; if his Department will be leading on this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15689/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The high level group on Traveller issues was established at the request of the Taoiseach to examine ways of producing a more co-ordinated response from State bodies in addressing Traveller issues with a view to securing improved outcomes. The group's report was published on 21 March 2006 following its approval by the Government. The report includes a wide-ranging set of conclusions and recommendations covering the full spectrum of public service activity relating specifically to the Traveller community. One section of the report examines the extent to which data on Travellers are currently available and includes a recommendation that a Travellers' data strategy should be developed within the context of wider data collection structures.

The 2006 Census includes a question on membership of the Traveller community as part of a general question on ethnic or cultural background. The high level group report notes that work is continuing at a strategic level work under the guidance of the senior officials group on social inclusion and the National Statistics Board to develop a comprehensive framework for social and equality statistics to respond to the evolving data needs of policy makers. The office for social inclusion is also working to address data gaps, focusing particularly on vulnerable groups, in the context of the development of a data strategy to underpin the national anti-poverty strategy.

The high level group proposed that a subset of this work might involve the establishment of a small working group comprising my Department, the Central Statistics Office, the office for social inclusion and other relevant Departments to develop a Travellers' data strategy. The matter is being progressed and will be given ongoing attention by the high level group.