Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018
292. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the report Roma in Ireland: a needs assessment (details supplied); and the action he will take following the publication of this research. [3460/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the report, Roma in Ireland - A National Needs Assessment, which provides very useful information and enhances our understanding of the experiences of some members of the Roma community. The Department of Justice and Equality funded this research following a recommendation made by Ms Emily Logan, the then Ombudsman for Children in her Report of the Special Inquiry (the “Logan Report” published on 1 July 2014).
The research provides a complex picture of the Roma in Ireland confirming that they are a diverse group of people. According to this research, the Roma community in Ireland comprises between 4,000 and 6,000 people. The majority of Roma adults here are from Romania – about 80%. Most of the balance of Roma adults are from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over 60% of Roma children living here were born in Ireland.
Roma have access to mainstream public services in Ireland on the same basis as all other EU citizens. Their children can access education services for instance on the same basis as children of other EU citizens.
However, this research points to barriers that may prevent some Roma from accessing the services to which they are entitled.
There is a need for more targeted awareness raising so that Roma are aware of the documentation needed to access specific services.
Funding will be provided by the Department of Justice and Equality this year for a number of Roma-focussed initiatives which are in the process of being evaluated.
I, as Minister of State at the Department of Justice, with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, launched the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021 in June 2017. The strategy provides a whole of Government Framework for addressing the needs of Traveller and Roma communities. It includes 149 actions across a range of themes. The steering group charged with implementing it is being chaired by me.
The recommendations of the research contained in Roma in Ireland - A National Needs Assessment will be examined carefully by the NTRIS Steering Group. The Steering Group includes representatives from Pavee Point and the relevant Government Departments.
The NTRIS for instance includes a number of education-focused actions aimed at improving access, participation and outcomes for members of the Roma community. The aim is to achieve outcomes for Roma that are equal to those of the majority population. Actions include a commitment by the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and TUSLA to develop early intervention education welfare supports to promote and support Roma attendance, participation and engagement with the education system. Similarly, the Government is promoting the Early Childcare Education pre-school scheme to facilitate access for Roma children to free pre-school from the age of three until they start school.
My Department has begun work on an action to fund Traveller and Roma representative groups to implement community based supports to assist the retention of Roma children in the education system.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is developing targeted initiatives to increase Roma engagement with employment and training services.
The Department of Health and the HSE will support the implementation of the findings of this Roma Needs Assessment. Also, acknowledging the results of the National Roma Needs Assessment for Roma in Ireland, the HSE will support Roma women to access maternal health services in a timely manner.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021 may be accessed on my Department's website www.justice.ie or by clicking on this link: National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, 2017 - 2021
