Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
508. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of his engagement with Travellers, Mincéiri and Mincéir and their organisations in County Cork since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38034/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Traveller and Roma Policy Unit of my Department engage with Traveller and Roma groups on a continuous basis with regard to projects funded and developments under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS).
The NTRIS Steering Committee which I chair includes representatives of government departments, agencies and of Traveller and Roma organisations. Progress on actions under NTRIS is monitored and updates are shared with the representative groups in advance of each Steering Group meeting.
Under NTRIS, my Department has allocated €4.9m to Traveller and Roma projects for the current year. This includes funding in the region of €60,000 to EmployAbility Services Cork a service which works with Travellers and supports their access into employment and enterprise development. It also includes an allocation of €150,000 to Cork Traveller Visibility Group (Cork TVG). Cork TVG is a community development organisation which works to support Travellers in their day to day lives so they can participate in Irish society as equals.
Furthermore, under NTRIS, funding is provided to a number of national representative organisations including Pavee Point, the National Traveller Women’s Forum, the National Traveller Partnership and the Irish Traveller Movement who work in partnership with and support community groups around the country.
Over the last few months I have held meetings with a number of Traveller representative groups including the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Partnership, the National Traveller Women’s Forum and with Pavee Point.
