Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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94. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the face-to-face services available to the Roma community during Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40580/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government's National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021 represents a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma community in Ireland. It brings Government Departments and Agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities to focus in a structured way on issues needing to be addressed. Progress is monitored by a Steering Committee which includes both Traveller and Roma representatives and Civil Society organisations. On 12 November last, I chaired a meeting of the Steering Group.

Under the Strategy, funding has been made available to Traveller and Roma organisations to support their core activities, and to progress specific commitments in the Strategy. This funding includes special initiatives to promote Traveller and Roma employment and a new pilot programme working with Traveller and Roma families to support children’s education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the specific nature and extent of the needs of the Roma community in Ireland, the unique challenges in ensuring that Roma individuals and families can access services and supports, and the particular infrastructure and approach required to secure the inclusion of Roma in mainstream provision. In light of this, a subgroup was convened to identify the specific needs of Roma and to foster discussion on developing responses which are culturally sensitive.

During the current pandemic the Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a self-isolation centre in Dublin. It manages a Roma Covid-19 resource site which includes material in relevant languages. It also funds a Roma helpline and my Department has funded associated interpretation costs. The HSE is also funding Safetynet to carryout mobile screening and services for Roma.

Through Pavee Point, my Department funds Roma health workers who provide support and advocacy to the Roma community.