Press Release October 2005
24th October 2005,
PRESS RELEASE -- PRESS RELEASE -- PRESS RELEASE
Action On Traveller Health Strategy Required. Positive Action Needed for Travellers
"Why has the All Ireland Travellers Health Study still not started 4 years after it has been promised?" pleaded Mrs. Missie Collins, a member of the National Traveller Health Advisory Committee, speaking at the National Travellers Health Conference in Croke Park this morning. "Our health strategy ends at the end of this year and this was a key recommendation why hasn't the study started? We need these facts and figures now if we are to plan effectively to meet our health needs. We can't keep using figures that are nearly 20 years old." she continued.
The National Traveller Health Conference focussed on the contribution that Traveller Primary Health Care (PHC) Projects have made as a model of good practice in improving Traveller health over the last 11 years. There are currently 40 PHC Projects throughout the country. They operate as a partnership with funding provided by the Health Service Executive working with Traveller organisations. Different projects presented aspects of their work through drama, puppetry, quilts, photographs and poetry during the morning. Progress on the Implementation of the National Traveller Health Strategy was discussed in the afternoon.
A key issue highlighted by many of the Traveller groups ware the difficulties created for Traveller women in accessing secondary social welfare benefits while being employed as PHC workers receiving an average of €90 per week.
"Given the high level of unemployment among Traveller women (63% as against 8% national average, Census 2002) we are calling on the government to introduce a national pilot scheme for Traveller PHC projects which would ensure Traveller women do not lose their secondary benefits and would act as an incentive to Travellers attempting to escape the poverty trap in which they currently find themselves" said Ronnie Fay, Director of Pavee Point Travellers Centre at the conference. "In addition, given Travellers appalling health statistics, Pavee Point calls for affirmative action and proposes that Travellers should be able retain their medical cards for 5 years after taking up employment."
Further information: Terry Battles or Ronnie Fay
Issued by Pavee Point Travellers' Centre, 46 North Great Charles St. Dublin 1. Ph: (01) 8780255