Written answers

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

National Traveller-Roma Integration Strategy

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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36. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to an earlier Parliamentary Question and in view of the fact that there are no actions in the National Traveller/Roma Integration Strategy and no framework for evaluating progress, if he will agree to the immediate establishment of a steering group with Traveller and Roma representation, representatives from his Department and an independent chair in order to drive the development of a progressive National Traveller/Roma Integration Strategy in an inclusive manner. [39783/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's National Traveller/Roma Integration Strategy was developed following an EU Commission communication which required Member States to submit a National Roma Integration Strategy for improving the situation of Roma in proportion to the size of the Roma population living in their territories and taking into account their specific circumstances.

It is important to note that the term "Roma", as defined by the Council of Europe, refers to Roma, Sinti, Kale and related groups in Europe, including Travellers and Eastern groups (Dom and Lom), and covers the wide diversity of the groups concerned, including persons who identify themselves as "Gypsies".

From the Irish perspective, with regard to this definition, the vast majority of Travellers/Roma in the Irish State are indigenous Irish Travellers. This is reflected in the national strategy document which sets out strategies already in place for the Traveller Community in the areas of Education, Accommodation, Healthcare and Employment. It also mentions initiatives in place in the same areas to assist the Roma community who are citizens of the European Economic Area and are legally resident in the country.

As a first step towards a national strategy, the State brought together all of the initiatives that already exist across Government so as to include them in a national strategy document. It is important to note, however, that the strategy is envisaged to be a living document and, as time goes on, there is nothing to prevent the development and inclusion of any new actions in any of the sectors. It should be noted that Traveller representatives are active participants on National Committees dealing with policy in the areas of Education, Health and Accommodation, in addition to the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee and, in this way, are involved in the development of policy.

My Department is currently collating reports on progress achieved in relation to Traveller actions which are in the National Traveller/Roma Integration Strategy with a view to reporting on progress to the EU Commission . I am aware of the recent evaluation by the EU of all the National Traveller/Roma Integration Strategies and the results in relation to Ireland are not how I would like them to be. In this context I have asked my Department to consider the existing mechanisms for consultation,implementation, monitoring and review of the National Strategy with a view to recommending any necessary changes.

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