Report reveals members of Traveller and Roma community feel discriminated against

Results of a survey published today illustrate significant barriers to equality faced by Travellers.

The report found that members of the Traveller and Roma community feel discriminated against because of their backgrounds.

Minister Roderic O’Gorman, together with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), IHREC and Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, today launched a report on the rights and living conditions of Travellers in Ireland.

The report details the Irish results from the FRA Survey of Rights and Living Conditions of Travellers in Ireland.

Key findings from the survey included:

Employment – Travellers in Ireland report lowest rates of employment in all countries surveyed at 15%.

Poverty and Social Exclusion – 10% of Travellers (including children) surveyed report ‘going to bed hungry’ at least once in the last month, rising to a fifth in some countries surveyed..

Accommodation – Over 90% of Travellers report that there is insufficient and inadequate accommodation available, including halting sites.

Racism and Discrimination – Ireland had the second highest rate of reported discrimination within the countries surveyed – 68 % of men and 62 % of women reported experiencing discrimination. This is reflected in the general respondents surveyed with 46% stating they would feel “uncomfortable with Roma and Travellers as neighbours.”

Education – Ireland has the second highest rate of Traveller children participating in early childhood education (75%), however, it continues to lag behind that of the general population. There is a 70% rate of early school leaving among Irish Travellers, compared to 5% for the general population.

Speaking following the launch of the report, Martin Collins, Co Director Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, said:

“We have seen through the COVID-19 crisis that much can be achieved when it’s needed.

“A co-ordinated approach is needed to bring about real change.

“This report is timely as we now have a unique opportunity to ensure that the forthcoming EU national inclusion strategies, and especially the Irish National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), will be reinforced with sufficient coherence, teeth and drive to implement real change.”

Minister Roderic O’Gorman, TD said:

“The survey results published today make clear that sadly Travellers still face significant barriers to full equality within Irish society.

“These results will inform the review of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. I want to ensure that the successor strategy has a stronger outcomes-focused approach, to help bring about meaningful change for the Traveller and Roma community in Ireland.

“I know that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a range of needs in both communities. The Government recognises that this is an area requiring specific attention, and for that reason have allocated an additional €1 million in funding to support the work of the NTRIS in 2021.”

Peer researcher, Bridget Nevin emphasised the importance of Traveller involvement in doing the fieldwork for this survey.

“Travellers know the facts on the ground but by recording them in this way we hope that the government will take action based on the facts highlighted about discrimination and racism in every part of our lives,” she said.

In his key note address, the Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Michael O Flaherty said:

“Travellers are as Irish as you and me.

“But they have been excluded from our society for generations.

“These results confirm the unacceptable hardships and barriers Travellers still face in 21st century Ireland.

“The results should challenge us all and can help policymakers to deliver equality and inclusion for Irish Travellers.”