Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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698. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding spent by his Department on Traveller Culture, Heritage and Identity annually in 2022 and 2023; and a breakdown by current and capital spending. [24585/23]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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699. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding spent by his Department on Roma Culture, Heritage and Identity annually in 2022 and 2023; and a breakdown by current and capital spending. [24586/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 699 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It brings Government Departments and Agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities to bring a focus to the issues which affect them most in a structured way. The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity; Education; Employment; Health and Accommodation.

While my Department has responsibility for central coordination of the NTRIS, each relevant Department has its own budget and is responsible for the implementation of its own commitments that impact upon Travellers and Roma, including in relation to culture, heritage and identity.

In 2023, my Department is providing €5.942 million in core funding to a number of Traveller and Roma organisations to progress actions under the NTRIS. This represents a 5% increase over the 2022 allocation. In addition, €880,000 and €930,000 was secured from the Dormant Accounts Fund to support Traveller and Roma initiatives in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Funding initiatives specifically related to culture, heritage and identity include:

• In 2022, €100,000 was provided for Traveller Pride Week in July, which enabled the roll–out of national and local events. This funding also supported the hosting of the 11th Traveller Pride Awards Ceremony – recognising and highlighting the achievements of Irish Travellers in their communities and beyond. Traveller Pride Week will take place on 3 - 14 July this year, again with the support of my Department.
• In 2022, funding of €49,457 was provided to a publishing company which works directly with Traveller authors to help them develop and publish literature related to Traveller culture and experience; this initiative aims to promote the inclusion of the Traveller community in the cultural life of Ireland. A further €4,700 has been provided under this initiative in 2023.
• In September 2022, my Department committed funding of €10,400 to the University of Galway in respect of a Traveller cultural programme which formed part of the meeting of the Council of Europe Expert Committee on Traveller Issues, ADI-ROM, held in the University.
• Funding of €63,048 was provided in 2022 to a Roma led organisation to promote Roma traditional music and culture, with a further €66,152 committed in 2023. In addition, my Department provides a small amount of funding annually for the celebration of International Roma Day in Ireland.