Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My department is responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of the different actions under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) by a range of Departments, including my own.

Action 4 of the NTRIS concerns the support of schools, in collaboration with Traveller and Roma organisations, to develop education resources on Traveller and Roma culture and history. The department responsible, the Department of Education, has referred to the 2019 curriculum audit on Traveller history and culture by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). In February 2023, the NCCA published the ‘Traveller culture and history research report’ as an important step in responding to the curriculum audit. The report, which incorporated the views of an Expert Group of Travellers and Traveller representatives, aims to provide an overview of what is currently known and has been recorded regarding the different aspects of Traveller culture and history. It will be used to inform the review and updating/redevelopment of curriculum specifications and the development of new specifications as part of ongoing work across sectors, and it provides a basis for the development of resources and materials for teachers/practitioners.

I understand that the NCCA is currently reviewing and editing video footage, from various post-primary settings, of teachers working on teaching about Traveller culture and history over recent months so that it can be published on their website, with appropriate guidance and support, as exemplars of practice to support teachers. Initial work is intended to be published in Q1/2024, with further examples to follow throughout this year, including from early childhood and primary settings.

The February 2023 report is also informing thinking around intercultural approaches to education more broadly. The NCCA has now completed a review of its current suites of Intercultural Guidelines for primary and post-primary schools, and has identified its next steps for updating these guidelines.

NTRIS Action 5 concerns the development and promotion of the culture, stories and music of Travellers and Roma, including support for accessible cultural archives. Under this action, my department funds the annual Traveller Pride Week to empower national, regional and local organisations to celebrate Traveller culture and diversity, as well as International Roma Day, which takes place annually. My department also:

- provides funding to a publishing company which works directly with Traveller authors to help them develop and publish literature related to Traveller culture and experience, thereby promoting the inclusion of the Traveller community in Irish cultural life;

- progressed a project with the National Museum of Ireland to bring greater visibility to its Traveller culture collections; this programme has seen the creation of an online portal of objects, archives, photography, recordings and other collections pertaining to Traveller culture and history, held in the National Cultural Institutions and National Folklore Archive illustrative; and,

- provides funding to Musicantia, a Roma cultural and advocacy project which runs a music school for young Roma in Dublin and promotes the integration of Roma communities into Irish society.

In respect of languages, in 2019, the Traveller Cant language was added to Ireland's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage maintained as part of Ireland’s obligations under the 2003 UNESCO Convention.

I should also note that the Creative Ireland Programme 2023 – 2027 has adopted a greater focus on equal opportunity, including membership of the Traveller and Roma communities. Under the new programme, Creative Ireland has worked to support existing and successor policies (including the NTRIS) and focuses efforts on research to underpin evidence-led policies, and the development and monitoring of targeted cultural and creative initiatives that enhance inclusion and visibility of marginalised groups.

Finally, I would advise the Deputy that work to develop the successor strategy to the NTRIS is well underway, and I hope to be in a position to finalise the new strategy shortly.