Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure that the Traveller community enjoys real equality in society here; the programmes his Department has in place to promote equality for this community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30910/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government is committed to improving the quality of life of members of the Traveller and Roma Community. The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 provides the strategic framework for the Government's action on issues relating to Travellers and Roma.

This Strategy represents a whole-of-Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity; Education; Employment; Health, and Accommodation. The Strategy is a living document which will be reviewed and adjusted as required. Traveller and Roma interests were involved in its development and are members of the Committee monitoring its implementation which will be chaired by me. This type of strategic approach with Traveller and Roma representatives at its centre is the one that will pay dividends in the longer term.

In addition to the strategic framework, the Government provides significant amounts of funding to traveller projects.

In 2020, €3.8 million in funding was provided to support Traveller and Roma inclusion. I have secured an additional €1 million for 2021, bringing the total to almost €5 million. This funding will be used to continue existing supports, as well as supporting new activities designed to counteract the impact of COVID-19 on Traveller and Roma communities.