Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:730. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of community health workers engaged to work with Travellers in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7403/13]
View answerTuesday, 12 February 2013
Questions (730)
Written answers
Traveller Health Units (THUs) operate in each HSE area and work in partnership with local Traveller organisations. Peer led healthcare projects known as Primary Healthcare Projects play an invaluable role. They began in 1994 and now there are over 40 projects involving over 450 participants. In addition the HSE’s National Traveller Health Advisory Forum (NTHAF) is a governance body comprising THUs and Traveller representation as well as HSE personnel working together to address key priorities. These structures are accountable to the National Social Inclusion Governance Group in the Health Service Executive.
The specific information on the number of community health workers engaged to work with Travellers in each of the years requested is not readily available. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.