Civil society monitoring report on implementation of the national Roma integration strategies in Ireland : focusing on structural and horizontal preconditions for successful implementation of the strategy

In 2017 Travellers and Roma continue to be among the most marginalised groups in Ireland. Census 2016 found that 13.3% of Traveller females were educated to upper secondary level or above, compared with almost 69.1% of the general population. A 2017 report using data from Census 2011 reveals unemployment rate of 82% among Travellers aged 25-64 years, compared to 17% for non-Travellers. A survey conducted with Travellers in 2017 suggests that many Travellers feel that their situation has regressed. 69% of respondents had been affected by suicide in their immediate or wider family. A National Needs Assessment of Roma in Ireland found that approx. 10% of respondents are living in extreme poverty, in sub-standard accommodation, with no bathroom, kitchen or cooker. For this group of respondents accommodation is overcrowded, with reports of rats, damp and sewerage problems. Approximately 50% of respondents reported not always having enough food, fuel or being able to keep their house warm all the time. A range of strong Traveller policy frameworks have been developed in thematic areas, however, implementation of policy has been weak with little accountability. The National Traveller Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) offers potential to improve the situation of Travellers and Roma in Ireland. Given the lack of baseline data for ethnic equality monitoring, the action in the strategy to develop a methodology for the introduction of an ethnic identifier is of particular importance. Core to the success of the strategy is the development of impact indicators, clear budgets, timelines and a rigorous monitoring and evaluation framework. Local Authorities are failing to meet their statutory responsibilities to provide adequate and culturally appropriate accommodation for Travellers and should employ sanctions to promote implementation of Traveller Accommodation Plans. Local government and social inclusion reforms have resulted in Travellers and Roma being named as target groups, however, this has yet to translate into a proportionate level of work with Travellers in local areas. Furthermore, local participatory mechanisms are inaccessible for Travellers and Roma. Sustainable funding of Traveller organisations to promote the empowerment of Travellers and Roma is necessary. Roma and Traveller children's rights have been identified as a specific concern by the UN CRC and the Irish Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and both note the need for specific budgetary allocations to reach poverty reduction targets.