Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:1357. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated total expenditure on Traveller culture and heritage in 2022. [40525/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 July 2022
Ceisteanna (1357)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma community in Ireland. It brings Government Departments and Agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities to bring a focus to the issues which affect them most in a structured way.
The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity; Education; Employment; Health and Accommodation and aim to improve the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities. Progress on these actions is monitored by a Steering Committee which includes both Traveller and Roma representatives and Civil Society organisations.
The Deputy will appreciate that while my Department has responsibility for coordinating the monitoring of the Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, each relevant Department has its own budget and is responsible for the implementation of its own commitments including cultural and heritage issues.
In 2022, my own Department has provided €5.6m in core funding for a number of NGOs and to progress actions under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. A further €880,000 was secured from Dormant Account Funds to support Traveller and Roma initiatives. This represents a total increase of €914,000 over the 2021 allocation.
In relation to DCEDIY cultural actions the position is as follows:
In 2022, my Department provided €100,000 for Traveller Pride Week which enabled the roll –out of national and local events from the 11th of July. These events provided the Traveller and Roma Communities with an opportunity to promote Traveller and Roma culture, achievements and talents at both local and national level and celebrate that culture with the whole of Irish society as one community. This funding also supported the hosting of the 11th Traveller Pride Awards Ceremony – recognising and highlighting the achievements of Irish Travellers in their communities and beyond.
Funding to the amount of €63,048 is being provided in 2022 to Musicantia, a Roma Community led group of volunteer musicians and accredited music teachers who work in partnership with indigenous Irish and other migrant community development workers.