Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding Traveller support and services provided by his Department in each county; the groups, agencies and voluntary bodies involved; the cost of same for each county for the past three years and to date in 2017; his plans to set up an advisory group to report on the minimum levels of support and services from his Department that should be available in each county to address the needs and the rights of Travellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29686/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is very supportive of any initiatives for support and services for Travellers. Specifically my Department provides funding to Local Authorities to support the development of facilities for traveller horse owners and to educate young people in these areas in the care and welfare of horses. The training initiatives being pursued will improve employment opportunities for Travellers in the equine industry. Details are provided in the following table. My Department has also funded Pavee Point in 2016 in the amount of €22,700 for a research project on traveller horse ownership.

In addition my Department is represented on the Department of Justice and Equality led National Traveller and Roma Strategy Steering Group and is responsible for specific actions linked to intergenerational learning, cultural continuity and positive self-identity for Travellers and Roma.