Written answers

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

EU Strategies

10:00 pm

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 455: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality as EU governments will have to submit national Roma strategies by the end of 2011, his plans for developing this strategy and the consultation process he will use. [15801/11]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The matter of an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies has been a priority of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. A decision has been taken that all Member States are to produce a National Roma Integration Strategy by the end of 2011. The Communication from the Commission includes a definition of the term 'Roma', similar to other political documents of the EU Parliament and the European Council, and reads: "an umbrella which includes groups of people who have more or less similar cultural characteristics, such as Sinti, Travellers, Kalé, Gens du voyage, etc. whether sedentary or not".

The Framework, as it applies to Ireland, will deal in the main with the Irish Traveller population. We already have policies in place for Travellers in relation to the areas mentioned in the Strategy - education, employment, health care and housing. I am satisfied, therefore, that we already have measures in place to meet the requirements of the proposed Framework. Consultation in relation to the Strategy has already begun in my Department through the High Level Group on Travellers.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.