Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Health the steps that he will take in relation to the health problems within the Traveller Community; and make this a priority in 2012-2013 [33812/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Traveller health continues to be a priority area. At central policy level the aveller Health Advisory Committee (THAC) advises on policy in relation to health services for Travellers. The committee consists of representatives of the Department of Health, the HSE and aveller organisations. It works closely with the HSE National aveller Health Advisory Forum (NTHAF). The NTHAF is a governance body comprising the aveller Health Units and aveller representation as well as HSE personnel working together to address key priorities. Two subgroups of the Forum have also been recently established to focus on Primary Care and Chronic Conditions respectively. These structures are accountable to the National Social Inclusion Governance Group.

The findings of the All Ireland aveller Health Study were published in September 2010. The Study was carried out on behalf of Travellers, with and by Travellers and this was an innovative approach that enabled the study to achieve a high response rate. The findings of the Study provide a strong evidence base for assessing existing and future service delivery and allowed the identification of a range priorities and means of addressing these. The priority areas identified include mental health & suicide; men's health; addiction/alcohol; domestic violence; diabetes and cardiovascular health.

An amount of €10,546,230 was spent on aveller health via aveller Health Units during 2011. This amount excludes the costs of core/mainstream services accessed by members of the Travelling community e.g. GP services, foster care etc. It is acknowledged that funding for aveller health has been reduced in recent years in line with budgetary and other resource pressures. However, efforts have continued to ensure that funding for all vulnerable groups remains protected as far as possible. The HSE National Service Plan for 2012 contains a new key performance indicator which has been devised specifically to measure performance in relation to new aveller health initiatives. These new initiatives take the form of health awareness programmes and health screening which will be delivered via the aveller Health Units/Primary Care Projects in each HSE region and will target those most at risk in the aveller community.