Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the recommendation of the all-Ireland Traveller health study in respect of mounting a national exhibition of Traveller crafts and traditions at the National Museum of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15135/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study, September 2010, was jointly funded by the Department of Health, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland and the Health Services Executive. I understand that the study was conducted by University College Dublin with the participation of the Travelling community.

The National Museum of Ireland already has a display on the Tinsmith, one of the Traveller trades, as an integral part of its permanent exhibition. This exhibition is on display at the National Museum of Ireland's Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park, Co Mayo. In addition, to coincide with Traveller Focus Week in December 2007, the Museum unveiled a display on Traveller life in Ireland using a variety of objects from the Museum's collections. Initially conceived as a temporary display, this exhibition became part of the Museum's permanent exhibition. Included in this exhibition is a specially commissioned barrel top wagon, which went on display in the Museum grounds. This was the culmination of a two-year project undertaken by East Mayo Traveller Interagency Forum to make the wagon, providing Traveller men with trade and craft skills which were traditionally part of Traveller culture, in order to help lead to future employment. The National Museum continues to engage with the traveller community and I understand that representatives of Pavee Point Traveller Centre were involved as part of its focus group assisting in the development of the Museum's Access Policy.

The Deputy will appreciate that decisions on the exhibition programme at the National Museum are not within my statutory remit.