I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
The Deputy may wish to note that I have previously advised the House of initiatives and investments, in Traveller communities, in my responses to Dáil Questions No. 11 of 17th November 2022 and No. 368 and 369 of 23rd May 2023.
Officials and Agencies under my remit, engage with and provide Traveller communities with a wide range of supports for effective participation in Cultural, Artistic and Sporting life. My Department is also represented on the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) Committee, chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
The table below highlights a synopsis of various programmes and initiatives, for Traveller communities concentrated investments, by my Department and Agencies under my remit since 2017. The Deputy may also wish to note that further detailed information on programmes and supports may be found on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/.
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (TCAGSM) Traveller-specific cultural and heritage initiatives and investments
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Title of Sectoral programmes/initiatives
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Details and funding
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Creative Ireland Programme
(Traveller Well-being through Creativity)
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Funding of €140,712 has been allocated for Traveller Well-being through Creativity pilot projects into 2023.
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(Creative Youth Nurture Fund)
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For 2023, my Department will provide funding for a new pilot Creative Youth Nurture Fund to support specific priority cohorts of children and young people to develop and engage in youth-led creative projects. Children and young people from the Traveller Community are one of the target cohorts.
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(Local Creative Youth Partnerships)
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My Department and the Department of Education, continue to develop links with younger members of the Travelling community. There are initiatives to support younger Travellers such as the Young Beoirs Gathering in 2022 for Guth na Mincéirí, a six-month celebration of Traveller culture in Limerick.
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(Creative Communities)
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Since 2017, my Department has provided a range of funding to local authorities through Creative Communities. I am assured that many local authorities have used this funding to support Traveller-specific cultural and heritage initiatives, including Mincéirí Ag Canadh – i.e. Travellers singing supported by Waterford City & County Council.
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The Arts Council
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The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. In 2022, I secured an amount of €130m for the Council and this level of funding is retained in 2023. I am advised that the Arts Council set up a partnership with Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre and through Pavee Point will be working with other Traveller organisations in order to increase Traveller inclusion, visibility and participation in the arts in Ireland.
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Culture Ireland (Basic Income for Artists)
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The Basic Income for the Arts Pilot research scheme includes 14 people who identified as Traveller or Roma when applying, who are now receiving the BIA payment.
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The National Library (NLI)
(Family history research)
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The NLI has collaborated over a number of years with Pavee Point and other organisations on family history research projects with the Traveller Community. In 2022, family trees researched and produced by Traveller families, supported by NLI funding and in partnership with Mincéirí Port Láirge, were donated to the NLI’s collections.
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(National Photographic Archive (NPA))
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The Traveller community is represented in the People and Places exhibition at the National Photographic Archive (NPA), which opened in January 2023 and will run until 2025. The NPA is part of the National Library of Ireland.
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Sport Ireland
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The Sport Ireland Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Advisory Group, formed in November 2022, provides guidance to Sport Ireland about its actions regarding the implementation of the Sport Ireland Policy on Diversity and Inclusion in Sport, and the promotion of an inclusive sport sector in Ireland. Membership of this group includes representation from the Traveller community.
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Sports Capital Programmes
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Many projects that receive allocations under the Sports Capital Programmes have benefited members of the Traveller community. Traveller organisations can receive funding directly under my Department’s grant schemes particularly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme which seeks to increase Traveller communities participation in Sport.
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Irish Travellers / Mincéirs
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My Department has provided funding of €26,800 to support the Irish Travellers / Mincéirs and the State, 1922-2022 Conference, which took place in September 2022. The 2-day conference was organised and led by the National University of Ireland Galway with support from my Department as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012 to 2023.
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