The Accommodation Working Group met 10 times in 2021, alongside separate convenings of the caravan loan scheme pilot areas and subgroups on submissions to the midterm review process and eviction procedures.
A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved this year, and we look forward to working together in 2022.
While it's been another hugely challenging year, we recognise the positive developments that have arisen due to the hard work and dedication of Traveller organisations around the country;
- Publishing of the Ombudsman's Report 'No End in Site', the IHREC's Equality Reviews, and the Office of the Planning Regular's Case Study on Traveller Accommodation, each strengthening the evidence base and pressure to improve the Traveller Accommodation crisis
- Strong engagement of Traveller organisations with the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community and its final report, available here
- Increased expenditure on Traveller accommodation in 2021. €14.3 million of the €15.5 million budget has been spent so far in 2021. Follow up on the areas not spending will be a priority for next year
- Strong Traveller engagement through ITM across a range of housing coalitions, and issues highlighted across numerous webinars and workshops, increasing awareness and solidarity
- Strong collaborative engagement with the pilot oversight group of the revised caravan loan scheme, with various consultations and submissions carried out.
- Recommendations of the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review were included as a priority in the government's Housing for All strategy
- Programme board for the implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review has met 5 times. Continuing to push for much faster delivery of the recommendations will remain a priority for 2022
- ITM has raised the issues relating to accommodation, across numerous platforms through multiple submissions (listed further on)
- ITM responded to 170 separate queries in 2021 from Travellers around the country in relation to their accommodation needs
|
|
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group met on seven occasions in 2021, with representation from 15 different organisations over the year.
The online meetings provided a space for members to discuss emerging issues, share information, get advice/support, and stay informed on national policy. The main topics discussed in our meetings included reduced school days, mental health, resources, initiatives, Covid-19 and education inequality issues.
To join the EWG you can email membership@itmtrav.ie
Reduced school days - new guidelines
ITM had campaigned with both local and national Traveller organisations for the Department of Education to implement new guidelines for the use of reduced school days. the guidelines have now been published and will come reduced hours that will come in effect in January 2022.
ITM and TESS workshop on the new guidelines
ITM and TUSLA Education Support Services (TESS) will host an informal online information and discussion session on January 2021.
This session is about the new Guidelines on the use of Reduced School Days which are coming into effect in January 2022.
If you would like to attend email eve@itmtrav.ie
Out of the Shadows - Report
In November, the "Out of the Shadows" report was published, commissioned by the Department of Education, and the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth. The research looks at the experience of Traveller students and their parents in 46 schools which are currently participating in a pilot programme under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
You can read the report HERE
|
|
Looking forward to 2022
We were delighted to launch the Traveller Youth Participation and Leadership Strategy in 2021. We hope to make some further announcement in 2022 to work with our members and key partners in progressing the strategic areas that will enhance young Traveller participation.
We have successful recruited a national youth development worker and have secured much needed funding for 2022 that will allow us to progress this work. It’s an exciting time for us to support some of amazing work already happening within the sector.
|
|
|
If you need any further information please contact:
Karen Power, Youth Development Worker, youth@itmtrav.ie
Eve O'Brien, Membership and Policy Officer, eve@itmtrav.ie
|
|
|
ITM Submissions 2021
2021 was an extremely busy year for ITM's political communications and advocacy team with over 33 submissions completed.
We made submissions to both national and international bodies, government departments and agencies. Our submissions were focused in key areas including and not limited to Traveller accommodation, Travellers access to justice, antiracism, education, human rights, children's' rights, and the media. We will have all of our submission available on our website shortly.
|
|
Green Party Conference 2021 - Time for change is now
The Irish Traveller Movement was part of significant discussion on the importance of Traveller rights and participation of Travellers and minorities in climate decision making and was a first for us at the Green Party Conference.
|
|
|
A just Ireland for Travellers now needs a restated effort by Government under current strategies with ambition to make real improvements for Travellers throughout every county.
|
|
|
JOCKIAT Report
The final report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community was launched in Leinster House via MS Teams on Thursday 2 December 2021. The Chairperson Senator Eileen Flynn, Leas Chathaoirleach Éamon Ó Cuív, and Members of the Committee were grateful for the assistance you gave to the Committee during the preparation of this Report. Read the final report HERE
Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The Irish Traveller Movement were among the civil society organisations who submitted to the UPR process. The purpose of the UPR is to review Ireland's human rights record. It gives the State the opportunity to say what actions they have taken to fulfil their human rights obligations, how they plan to improve, and gives other member states the opportunity to make recommendations, informed by submissions by both the State and Civil Society Organisations.
At the meeting of the UPR Working Group, there was a strong focus from the UN Member States on:
- The need for Ireland to do more to combat racism and hate speech with particular concerns raised around racism and discrimination towards Travellers
- The need for Ireland to ensure adequate housing is guaranteed to all, especially ethnic minorities
- The importance of implementation of a new National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy and the need for a National Action Plan Against Racism
|
|
School Engagement
We welcomed 10 new entrant schools to the programme this academic year, and we are delighted to see how well they are progressing! All schools are on, or ahead of, schedule, and the 5 schools that started in 2020 are moving ever-closer to completing the programme. It’s so important that schools maintain the ethos of the flag, long after the 8 steps are complete, so we’re very pleased to see 7 schools renewing the programme this year too.
|
|
Yellow Flag Awards Ceremony
In November, we made the difficult decision to cancel the Yellow Flag Awards Ceremony, in light of rapidly rising cases of COVID-19. We hope that this can be rescheduled for February, but in the meantime, we have posted flags out to the schools so that they can fly them with pride! Congratulations and welcome to the Yellow Flag family:
- St. Brigid’s Secondary School, Killarney
- Holy Family Junior School, Ennis
- St. Tiernan’s Community School, Balally
- Firhouse Educate Together National School
- Grange Community College
|
|
|
Political Engagement
2021 saw good progress made in the delivery of the programme’s strategic plan. We have met with the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth Affairs, and the Department of Education, to advocate for cross-departmental state funding for the flag, and we look forward to further meetings in 2022. We have established contact with the Education Spokespeople across the political parties, and feedback has been very positive.
|
|
Classroom Resources
This year, we put a lot of energy into the development of classroom resources for our Yellow Flag schools. We kicked this off with Traveller Pride Week in September, and shared further resources for Black History Month in October. Most recently, Sian developed a suite of lesson plans and resources for primary and post primary schools to help them mark Human Rights Day. This will remain a key focus for 2022, as we work to develop a resource pack on building Traveller culture and history into the classroom.
|
|
|
All and all, it has been a busy, productive and exciting year for Yellow Flag, with lots of new collaborations and opportunities. We’re looking forward to coming back rested and recharged to continue this work in January!
|
|
The Raising Voices Fellowship
The Raising Voices fellowship is inviting aspiring writers and/or illustrators who make work for children and young adults to apply for their new fully–funded, career–altering programme. Encompassing a host of creative and practical supports, the six selected fellows will be connected to a welcoming community of practice and supported in developing their careers.
The fellowship is led by a group of literature organisations including Children’s Books Ireland, Illustrators Ireland, Publishing Ireland, the Dublin Book Festival and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig. Raising Voices aims to break down barriers to publication and progression, and to increase diversity and representation in the Irish literature sector for those whose voices have been underrepresented due to background or identity.
Raising Voices fellowship will provide six children’s artists with:
- Mentorship and critique from experienced artists and directors
- A week–long residency at the Tyrone Guthrie centre
- A welcoming community of practice
- The training, tools and support needed to carve out a career in Irish children’s books
Raising Voices is fully funded with a stipend for the residential week & travel, accomodation and childcare costs.
For information please visit https://childrensbooksireland.ie/raising-voices-fellowship
Survey on Financial literacy and digital access - please support
National Traveller MABS is working with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) to find out more about Financial Literacy and the barriers that people face when trying to access financial services. The survey aims to find out people's experiences and how we can work towards the services becoming more accessible.
It is important that Travellers give voice to their experience when it comes to accessing about changes to services to make them more accessible.
It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and it would be greatly appreciated if you could take part in this or share it with your networks and groups.
A PDF of the survey is also available which can be printed out and completed. Then they could be scanned and emailed, or even posted back directly. The survey can also be done over phone for people that has not any access to computers or internet.
You can contact Denise Collins, National Support and Development Worker, National Traveller MABS
0852164340, Denise_Collins@mabs.ie
Foundation Course for Mature Students
Foundation Course for Mature Students in Trinity College Dublin and the University Access Course in Pearse College & Plunket College for 2022/23 are now being accepted and the closing date for applications is March 28th 2022.
The courses offer an academic and personal preparation for degree studies for mature students who are under-represented in third level education due to their socio-economic backgrounds.
More information and application details here
Survey for parents and guardians of young people engaged in self-harm
UCD and Pieta with support from the National Office of suicide prevention, are doing a study looking at the information and support needs of parents and guardians of adolescents who have engaged in self-harm. Given the mental health and suicide crisis within the Traveller community and as Travellers are often underrepresented in research, they particularly welcome advice from Traveller parents. Please feel free to share the survey
|
|
Mental health as a human right campaign
On 10th December, World Human Rights Day, ITM joined thousands of others in signing an open letter from the National Traveller Mental Health Network calling on Taoiseach Michael Martin to address the mental health crisis in the Traveller community. Decades of marginalisation, institutional racism, discrimination, and inequality has contributed to a devastating mental health crisis in our community. ITM joinined the call for the state to recognise this crisis in Traveller mental health and act including the support and implementation of a national Traveller Mental Health Strategy with ring-fenced resources. Join the call and show your support by signing the letter here: http://ow.ly/6zfj50H7UVx
|
|
|
|
The Traveller Mental Health Network will hold a peaceful protest today outside Dail Eireann to mark Human Rights Day and the Traveller Mental Health is a Human Right campaign. Photo credit: Martin Beanz Warde
|
|
Job Opportunities
Administrator (Part-Time) - Primary Healthcare Project
Wicklow Travellers’ Group
Deadline: 4th Jan 2022
More information HERE
Community Development Youth Worker (Part-Time, Maternity Cover)
Wicklow Travellers’ Group
Deadline: 4th Jan 2022
More information HERE
Community Development Co-ordinator
East Cork Travellers, Cumann na Daoine
Deadline: 13th Jan 2022
More information HERE
Local Training Initiative Assistant Coordinator
Offaly Traveller Movement
Deadline: 5th Jan 2022
More information HERE
Traveller Community Health Worker (Part-Time)
Sligo Traveller Support Group
Deadline: 14th Jan 2022
More information HERE
Community Worker with a focus on Drugs and Alcohol Diversion
Clondalkin Travellers Development Group
Deadline: 6th Jan 2022
More information HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
