BrÍd Smith TD addresses the issue of Traveller ethnicity in the Dáil
While recognition of Traveller ethnicity is welcome, it needs to be backed up by funding to make up for years of neglect of this vulnerable community
Tag: Traveller rights
Cllr Brid Smith Calls on Minister Alan Kelly to immediately increase Traveller Accommodation Budget
Cllr Brid Smith Calls on Minister Alan Kelly to immediately increase Traveller Accommodation Budget
In line with requirements of the DoECLG, DCC’s Traveller Accommodation Unit (TAU) in collaboration with the local Traveller organisations undertook a consultation process with Traveller families across the city to identify current and projected accommodation needs for inclusion in the TAP 2014-2018.
However, the budget allocation for the 2015 DCC TAP targets has recently been announced as a meagre €366,299. This is a devastating blow to the delivery of the TAP, the budget is such that it cannot deliver even a fraction of the targets nor will it make any positive impact on the accommodation needs of Travellers and Traveller families will be once again failed by the state as many families have already been waiting over a decade for accommodation.
The human cost of this on Traveller families is devastating. It is widely documented that accommodation is the most significant determinant on health and the gap between the health status of Travellers and that of the settled population is startling.
Life expectancy at birth for male Travellers is 15.1 years less than the general population,
Life expectancy at birth for female Travellers is now 70.1 which is 11.5 years less than women in the general population
Traveller infant mortality is estimated at 14.1 per 1,000 live births (compared with the general population rate of 3.9).
Travellers have a greater burden of chronic diseases than the general population
Suicide rates are nearly 7 times higher in Traveller men compared with the general male population.
Suicide accounts for 11% of all Traveller deaths.
Despite this stark reality the FG/Labour government has wielded a systematic and dramatic disinvestment in the Traveller community including Traveller Accommodation. .
Cllr Brid Smith and People Before Profit call on the Minister to meet with DCC and Traveller organisations as a matter of urgency and to provide the budget required to address the accommodation needs and we support the protest called by the local Traveller organisations 2pm at City Hall on 8th July.
For further information contact Cllr Brid Smith 087 9090166