Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2018
173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the status of the national Traveller health action plan; if a planning advisory body for Traveller health to drive delivery will be established; if the national Traveller health action plan will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47233/18]
View answerHealth and wellbeing are not evenly distributed across society. There are socially excluded groups who experience extreme health inequalities. Such groups include Travellers homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers and people with addiction issues. Inequalities in health are reflected in the mortality and morbidity rates of the population. Rates of chronic diseases are another indicator of health inequalities. A social gradient is also apparent in mental health. Reducing health inequalities can delivery real benefits for society and for future generations. It requires interventions to address the social determinants of health and to provide integrated and comprehensive healthcare services.
The health needs of Travellers' are documented in the landmark All Ireland Traveller Health Study, published in 2010 and funded by the Department of Health.
- The Department of Health, through the HSE, provides funding in the region of €10m per annum for programmes to improve the health situation for Traveller communities. These include:
- primary healthcare projects, counselling services, family support programmes and men's health projects; dedicated public health nurses and related staff; and
- mental health promotion and suicide prevention services in a culturally sensitive manner, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
A further €500,000 funding is provided through the Dormant Accounts Fund for initiatives aimed at improving Traveller mental health.
The Department recently convened a workshop on Traveller health needs. This involved representation from various policy units in the Department of Health, Community Healthcare Organisations within the HSE and Traveller organisations.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) has over 30 actions to address the health needs of Travellers and Roma. It includes an action by the HSE to develop and implement a detailed action plan, based on the findings of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study, 2010, to continue to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach.
I understand a draft of the action plan is being finalised by the HSE and look forward to considering it in due course. Any proposal from the HSE for a planning advisory body for Traveller health, which might include representation from the Department of Health, will also be considered.
