I am delighted to be here in Cork today to officially open the new premises of the Traveller Visibility Group.
One of the great advantages of being Taoiseach is the chance to meet people like yourselves who are contributing to the quality of life of your community. And another advantage is being able to see at first hand the great use which is being made of public funding. In fact, referring to public funding, I am delighted to be in a position to confirm today that this project is to receive a further grant of €143,718 from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs towards the refurbishment work. This funding is in addition to the €1.25 million already received from a variety of Government Departments and public agencies, which I can clearly see today has been put to very good use.
I want to congratulate all those who have worked so hard to develop this new facility. In particular, I want to pay tribute to the management of the Traveller Visibility Group. You deserve to take great pride in what you have achieved here today. And I hope that you also take pride in the manner in which you have achieved your goals – namely Traveller and settled people working together, side by side, with a common purpose.
We are living today in a changing society. Part of the challenge created by that change is that Travellers and settled people alike have had to adjust to new pressures. In these circumstances, it is only right that the State would give some support to citizens in participating in modern Irish society. In particular, it is vital that all our children, including Traveller children, have equal opportunities to participate and develop their individual talents.
Since the Task Force on the Travelling Community reported in 1995, progress has been made in relation to Traveller accommodation programmes, the National Traveller Health Strategy and in the education sector. The Government have committed very significant financial resources to Traveller specific programmes.
In 2005, a total of €108 million is being allocated, of which €50 million will be spent through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, principally on Traveller accommodation. The funding in the Education sector is also very significant with over €47 million provided this year. I believe that this level of funding is justified.
Of course, there are many other sources of support for traveller projects. I know that the Traveller Visibility Group has been allocated a grant under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP). This has enabled the purchase and renovation of this building and the equipping of the new childcare facility.
This new service will provide 20 much needed childcare places for children whose parents are in employment, education or training. In addition, facilities such as this will help to ensure that children can develop emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically through play.
In Cork City and County as a whole, childcare projects are availing of over €41 million in funding under the EOCP. This is leading to the provision of over 4,000 new childcare places and supporting over 3,000 existing places. And I know that the Childcare Committee here in Cork City is also doing great work in this regard.
I recall that when I met with the Traveller Visibility Group before, there were concerns about some instances of discrimination. There is a need for continuing work to combat discrimination. The Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts provide specifically against discrimination on the grounds of membership of the Traveller community. Legislation makes it clear that Travellers have a right to be treated in the same way as other citizens.
Of course, legislation will not solve everything. Not only must we acknowledge the rights of others, we must also live up to our responsibility to respect those rights in our daily lives.
The Government recognises that while there have been some significant achievements in recent years, many challenges remain. In December 2003, we set up a High Level Group of officials to give renewed focus and direction to the work of various State agencies providing services to Travellers.
Two pilot projects were carried out under this Group – one in South County Dublin and the other in Clare. These have been very useful in pointing the way to improved outcomes for Travellers at local level. I believe that they provide important models for the rest of the country.
A vital component in each of the projects was the involvement of local Travellers in the planning and delivery process. And I am glad to see that a further eight pilot projects are being developed with the support of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, including projects in Cork City and County.
There is an obvious need for further progress on a wide range of issues affecting Travellers and these have been given close consideration by the High Level Group. Its work is derived from a firm commitment by the Government to deliver more effective supports for Travellers. This requires a co-ordinated inter-agency approach based on the real needs of local traveller communities. Equally however, such an approach can only be successful with the participation of Travellers in resolving the issues that affect their daily lives.
I have no doubt that accommodation, education and health will continue to be priority issues. In addition, inter-agency co-operation will have to apply to areas such as law enforcement and employment. Unfortunately, as with other elements of society, I think that it is acknowledged that there is criminal activity among a small number of Travellers.
The most immediate victims of this behaviour are often other Travellers. It is essential therefore that agencies can take concerted actions against crime with the support of the law-abiding majority in the Traveller community.
At a time of unprecedented economic success, Travellers should be able to share in the benefits of our increased wealth. Unemployment levels amongst travellers are at an unacceptable level. I believe that State agencies can play a more pro-active role in supporting Travellers to develop skills and access employment, in the public and private sectors.
Delivering improved results will not be done without considerable work, imagination and a willingness to cooperate on all sides however. But I am encouraged by the continuing good work of many local organisations, including the Traveller Visibility Group. I am also glad to say that Minister Frank Fahey recently hosted a seminar to seek the views of Travellers and others on better ways of promoting understanding. I strongly support this work and I hope that it will complement the inter-agency approach, which is being developed by State agencies.
In addition, it is essential that Traveller representative organisations participate effectively at local and national level through proper consultative structures.
As well as continuing to provide effective advocacy for Travellers, I would very much like to see representative organisations taking an active part in supporting the delivery of services in a more co-ordinated and focused manner. Representative organisations can play a vital role in helping with conflict resolution and facilitating communications at grassroots level. I look forward to an enhanced partnership between the State and the community and voluntary sector in helping to improve opportunities and delivering practical results for all Travellers.
The opening of this new centre is a prime example of the efforts being made on the ground to bring the ideal of a fully inclusive society to reality. I wish you every success with your ongoing work and I congratulate you once again on your success today.
Thank you.
ENDS