Events planned around the world to mark International Roma Day on 8 April 2009 provided an opportunity to highlight a number of important humanitarian issues facing this minority group, particularly in mainland Europe.
Ireland fully supports the EU, the Council of Europe and the OSCE in their ongoing efforts to bring all prejudice and mistreatment of the Roma people to a definitive end. In recognition of the need to support this vulnerable group, Ireland has contributed to a number of Roma projects, particularly in the Western Balkans region. One of the projects funded was €200,000 towards the World Bank's Roma Education Fund, which has benefited the Roma community in eleven countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
I was concerned to learn of reports that some Roma families were unable to find secure shelter following their evacuation by local authorities from a temporary settlement in Belgrade. I have asked officials at our Embassy in Athens, which is accredited to Serbia, to make enquiries about this matter.
The Deputy may also be aware of current efforts by the EU and others to relocate Roma families residing in camps exposed to lead contamination in Northern Kosovo. Ireland is supporting all efforts to address this urgent humanitarian issue, including that of the European Commission Liaison Office in Pristina, which is coordinating the actions of national and international stakeholders to secure a long-term sustainable solution to this issue.