Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 2

Written Answers. - Travelling Community.

Chris Flood

Ceist:

14 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made to date on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24725/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

In reply to a Dáil question on 2 May last, I outlined the strategy approved by the Government in response to the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community and the monitoring procedures. I made clear that members of the Government are answerable for those aspects of the report which are within their respective areas of responsibility though, of course, I maintain an active interest in the implementation process.

In the main, the recommendations relating to my Department are in the chapter on discrimination in the report. The recommendations have been taken into account in the development of the Employment Equality and Equal Status Bills. I hope to publish the latter Bill shortly.

Other recommendations of relevance to my Department are being implemented as appropriate. For example, the gender dimension of policies is examined. Also, a number of traveller groups have been assisted under the Pilot Childcare Initiative of my Department.