Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:150 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has finalised the Traveller health strategy; if not, when it will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20553/01]
Written Answers. - Traveller Health Strategy.
Ulick Burke
Ceist:154 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will finalise the Traveller health strategy; the reasons for the delay; the reasons for the delay in establishing a national Traveller health advisory committee and to progress the other extensive consultations; and the further reasons for the failure to deliver a mechanism to address the ongoing health standards of the traveller community. [20615/01]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 150 and 154 together.
The National Traveller Health Advisory Committee, which was established in 1998, has submitted its recommendations for a proposed national Traveller health strategy. The committee's proposals will provide a major input into the national Traveller health strategy which is currently being drafted in my Department with a view to publication within the coming weeks. Upon publication, the strategy will be circulated to health boards who will be asked to draw up plans for the phased implementation of it. The National Traveller Health Advisory Committee will continue to play an important advisory role in relation to the implementation of the strategy following its publication.
When the strategy is published, the provision of resources for its implementation will be a matter for discussion with the health boards and other interested parties. However, I was pleased to be able to allocate £1 million in revenue funding for new developments in Traveller health services this year which is evidence of this Government's commitment to meeting the needs of this population group.