Written answers

Thursday, 9 June 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Traveller Community

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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40. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on giving recognition to Traveller ethnicity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15085/16]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that there is a comprehensive consultation process underway, led by my Department, to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to improve the situation for the Traveller and Roma communities. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high level objectives under each agreed theme) of that consultation process have been completed. The final phase, Phase 3 (identification of detailed actions to achieve each agreed objective, with associated time-scales, key performance indicators, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements), has commenced and will conclude with submission of a final draft version of a new Inclusion Strategy to Government. This process will provide a new set of specific actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers and Roma. It is intended that the revised Inclusion Strategy will run from 2016 to 2020 and that it will be in place later this year.

The issue of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group is being considered in the context of the development of the Inclusion Strategy. When I spoke recently at the Traveller Pride awards, I stressed that we need to broaden the discussion on this issue. The debate needs to be taken forward in an inclusive way, explaining what is involved to mainstream Irish society and bringing the settled community along with Travellers on the issue. My officials are continuing to work with the national Traveller organisations on this matter and I intend this will be a priority for me over the coming months.

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