20 Oct 2021, 19:00
The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community will meet tomorrow, Thursday, 21 October, to discuss Travellers’ experiences in prison, and related matters. The Committee meeting will commence at 1:30 pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
Session 1 – 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm with representatives from:
- Travellers in Prison Initiative
- Irish Penal Reform Trust
- Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities
Session 2 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm with representatives from:
- Irish Prison Service
- The Probation Service
- City of Dublin Education and Training Board
Speaking before the meeting Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív, Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Committee, said: “It is widely recognised that the Traveller community is severely over-represented in the prison population in Ireland because of discrimination and economic and social disadvantage. The Committee will discuss Travellers’ experiences in prison, and related topics, over two sessions with representatives from key stakeholders.”
The Leas-Chathaoirleach concluded: “The number of Travellers in Irish prisons is so disproportionally high because of discrimination and economic and social disadvantage that they account for ten percent of the prison population and 15% of the total female prison population despite being less than 1% of the total population.
The Committee look forward to an engaging conversation on why this is so and explore the wider issues and related matters with our witnesses.”
The Joint Committee on Key issues affecting the Traveller Community has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.
You can view the meeting in Committee Room 4 on the Oireachtas website.
More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
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