Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
532. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to give an update on the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community (details supplied); to give an update on the implementation of the mental health recommendations within the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53379/23]
View answerThe Department of Health and the HSE met with the Ad hoc Travellers Key Issues Monitoring Group on 1 June 2023 to update them on progress made in respect to the health recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community.
A briefing was provided to the Committee in advance of the meeting, and it is attached for the Deputy's information.
Further to the information contained in the attached briefing, €300k was allocated for Traveller mental health in 2023 and is enabling the employment of 7 community support workers within the Traveller projects to focus on engaging the community with existing mental health supports, identifying gaps and consulting on future service developments. These actions reflect the priority status of Travellers in the Government mental health policies Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life. Progress will also be monitored under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
Budget 2024 also provided new funding to enhance Suicide Prevention and Postvention Services through the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service; and for the Traveller Counselling Service, which will have national coverage for the first time. The details of this are the subject of on-going discussions in the context of agreeing the the HSE National Service Plan overall for next year.
I welcome the increased focus in the area of Traveller mental health and I look forward to the progression of this workstream.
