Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he proposes to take to have the 200 Roma families evacuated from the toxic lead encampments of North Mitrovica, Kosovo, in which more than 80 people have already died and children, in particular, are experiencing internal organ and brain damage; if he will raised the issue with the government of Kosovo, the EU and the UN to mark international Roma day on 8 April 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15139/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the current serious humanitarian situation with regard to Roma families residing in camps in Kosovo which are exposed to dangerously high levels of lead. International Roma Day offers an opportunity to highlight this issue and others relating to the well-being of Roma worldwide.

Ireland continues to support all efforts to re-locate Roma families to safe facilities and we have raised this issue with relevant stakeholders on a number of occasions. During his visit to Kosovo on 22 December last, the Taoiseach, who was accompanied by the Minister for Defence, met with President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaçi. The issue of the displaced Roma was among the topics discussed. The Taoiseach particularly emphasised the plight of a group located at a camp in Gracanica.

The Government welcomes the fact that the Kosovar Government has indicated that it will make every effort to find a new location for the residents of the camps and establish arrangements for co-financing this project with other stakeholders.

In addition, at my request, officials have raised this issue on a number of occasions in recent months, including at EU-level meetings and at meetings of the International Steering group on Kosovo. At an EU Working Group meeting on the Western Balkans on 1 April 2009, the European Special Representative in Kosovo, Mr. Pieter Feith gave an update on Roma families residing in camps exposed to lead contamination and expressed his full support for the closure of the camps and the re-location of Roma families. I fully support the endeavours of the European Commission Liaison Office in Pristina which is coordinating the efforts of national and international stakeholders to secure a long term sustainable solution to this issue.

Ireland has supported a broad range of projects targeted at assisting the Roma community in Kosovo. For the period 2005 to date, Irish Aid allocated €550,000 towards development work with the Roma community in Kosovo. In addition, €200,000 was provided for the World Bank's Roma Education Fund, which has benefited the Roma community in eleven countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Kosovo.

The Government will continue to support all efforts to address the plight of the residents of the camps and will remain in contact with the responsible authorities on this issue, including through our Embassy in Budapest, which is accredited to Kosovo.