Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2016
43. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality , further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 9 June 2016, if she will report on the developments in the Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy; if she will support the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27438/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware from my previous response on this matter, there is a comprehensive consultation process underway, led by my Department, to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to improve the situation for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high level objectives under each agreed theme) of that consultation process have been completed. The final phase, Phase 3 (identification of detailed actions to achieve each agreed objective, with associated time-scales, key performance indicators, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements), is currently underway. This process will provide a new set of specific, cross-Departmental actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers and Roma. It is intended that the new Inclusion Strategy will run from 2016 to 2020 and that it will be in place later this year. As part of Phase 3, regional public consultations took place from 22 September 2016 - 27 September 2016; I attended two of those consultations (in Dublin and in Athlone, respectively) and I am delighted to report that overall attendance and participation were encouraging and positive. Feedback from those consultation sessions will be collated by my officials and the draft Inclusion Strategy will be updated accordingly. I plan to submit the final draft of the Inclusion Strategy to Government shortly for consideration and sign-off.
As set out in my earlier response, the issue of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group is being considered in the context of the development of the Inclusion Strategy. I have had a long standing interest in this area, most notably through my chairing of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality when it produced its report on the Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity (April 2014). When I spoke earlier this year at the Traveller Pride awards, I stressed that we need to broaden the discussion on this issue. The debate needs to be taken forward in an inclusive way, explaining what is involved to mainstream Irish society and bringing the settled community along with Travellers on the issue. My officials are continuing to work with the national Traveller organisations on this matter and I intend this to be a priority for me over the coming months.
