Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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474. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the No End in Sight report from the Ombudsman for Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29254/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The  “No End in Site” report from the Ombudsman for Children which centred on the living conditions of children on a local authority halting site makes for very difficult reading and highlights the need for continued work in supporting the Traveller Community in Ireland.

You will appreciate that responsibility for Housing rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and with the relevant Local Authority. I am assured by my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that his Department is in ongoing communication with the relevant local authority to provide the necessary supports so as to ensure that the recommendations made in the report are implemented in a timely manner.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities in Ireland. The Government strategy to further this goal is the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021. The Strategy brings government departments and agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities.

The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity, Education Employment, Health and Accommodation. It is the responsibility of the respective Government Departments and Agencies to deliver on the Actions contained in the Strategy and to provide updates on progress through the Steering Committee which I chair.

The Programme for Government commits to a Review of the Strategy which is coming to an end this year. This will be an independent review of NTRIS which will be undertaken later this year. I am committed to consulting with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the next iteration of NTRIS will have a stronger outcomes focused approach.