Cash boost to support Traveller community
€1m has been earmarked for projects supporting the Traveller community.
The funding will tackle discrimination against young Travellers in cities and counties nationwide.
Managed by community organisation Pobal, on behalf of the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, the fund will be used to run projects drawn up by interagency groups at county level.
“Half the Traveller population is aged 18 or under and it is vitally important to tackle the social exclusion they face in a co-ordinated manner,” said equality minister Frank Fahey.
“I want to emphasise the need for state agencies to develop responses to the situation of individual Traveller families and also give particular support to Traveller individuals and organisations in their dealings with public authorities.”
Qualifying criteria for the new funding includes supporting access by Travellers to mainstream provisions and Traveller participation in society generally, consultations with local Travellers or Traveller representatives, pre-development work to ensure that all those involved are aware of project contents and any concerns are addressed, and constructive engagement and positive communications with Traveller individuals, families and groups.
