Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2013
214. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the appalling health profile of Travellers evident in the all Ireland Traveller health study report published in 2010, when he will develop an action plan or update the national Traveller health strategy to address traveller health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/13]
View answerThe All Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) was carried out in 2007 and the findings were published in September 2010 with a follow up Birth Cohort Study published in September 2011. It was a comprehensive study of the health and social status of the Traveller community in Ireland and was carried out by the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin on behalf of Travellers, with the direct involvement of Travellers. The findings of the Study provide a strong evidence base for assessing existing and future service delivery and allowed the identification of a range priorities and means of addressing these.
The following priority areas for action were identified to address the findings of the Study: Mental Health; Suicide; Men’s Health; Addiction/Alcohol; Domestic Violence; Diabetes; Cardiovascular Health. The HSE has already put in place measures to address these agreed priority areas and the Traveller Health Advisory Forum within the HSE is in the process of preparing a detailed action plan. In addition, the forthcoming Health and Wellbeing Framework will put in place new structures which will focus on the cross sectoral social determinants of health and will incorporate actions relating to addressing health inequalities among marginalised groups such as Travellers.
