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Minister for Justice,
Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):
The High Level Group on
Traveller Issues was established at the request of the Taoiseach to
examine ways of producing a more coordinated response from state bodies
in addressing Traveller issues with a view to securing improved
outcomes. The Group's Report was published on 21 March 2006
following its approval by Government. The Report includes a wide
ranging set of conclusions and recommendations covering the full
spectrum of public service activity relating specifically to the
Traveller Community. One section of the report examines the extent
to which data on Travellers is currently available and includes a
recommendation that a Travellers' Data Strategy should be developed
within the context of wider data collection structures.
The 2006 Census includes a
question on membership of the Traveller Community as part of a general
question on ethnic or cultural background. The High Level Group
Report notes that at a strategic level work is continuing, under the
guidance of Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion (SOGSI) and the
National Statistics Board, to develop a comprehensive framework for
social and equality statistics to respond to the evolving data needs of
policy-makers. The Office for Social Inclusion is also working to
address data gaps, focusing particularly on vulnerable groups, in the
context of the development of a data strategy to underpin the National
Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS).
The High Level Group
proposed that a subset of this work might involve the establishment of a
small working group comprising my Department, the CSO, the Office for
Social Inclusion, and other relevant Departments to develop a
Travellers' Data Strategy. The matter is being progressed and will
be given ongoing attention by the High Level Group. |
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