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Pavee Point Programmes - Roma

The Roma Community in Ireland

Introduction

The ‘Roma’ people are a minority ethnic group with historic and contemporary tradition of nomadism and living in extended family groups. They live mainly in Eastern and central Europe. It is thought that they originally migrated from India about 1,000 years ago but have been European citizens for centuries. The worlds Roma population stands at 12 million, of these, 8 to 10 million live in Europe, the remainder in USA and South America. The Roma constitute the largest minority group in the E.U. The largest communities live in Romania (est. 2m) and Slovakia (est. 600,000), demographically standing at about 10% of each of these countries overall populations.

Romani is the most extensively spoken language with an estimated 60 dialects. In addition, most Roma also speak the language of their country of origin. Most Roma are Christian and practice the Orthodox, Catholic and Pentecostal religions.  The Roma have a long history of marginalisation and persecution. An estimated 0.5 million died during the holocaust.

Throughout history Roma have suffered persecution, racism, forced assimilation, ethnic cleansing, poverty, violent attacks, abuse, enforced sterilization and slavery. An estimated 500,000 Roma were killed by the nazi’s during the Holocaust.

Today, Roma continue to experience discrimination in housing, education, employment, medical care, access to goods and services and decision-making. Violations of Roma rights are not always prosecuted by the authorities. Roma have had their houses raided and been subjected to evictions, forced sterilization and police brutality. They have been detained, beaten, and threatened by private citizens and the police. These cases and concerns continue to be documented and raised by international human rights organisations including the UN, the Council of Europe, OECD, Amnesty International and UNICEF.

Roma Population in Ireland

There are no official statistics as migrants in Ireland are counted on the basis of nationality and not ethnic group, but estimates put the Roma population in Ireland at over 3,000. The majority of Roma in Ireland are from Romania, with significant populations also from Slovakia and Czech Republic and small numbers from Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria. The Roma community, like many migrant groups have tended to settled in cheaper suburbs and commuter towns of the major cities, as well as some smaller towns nationwide.

Why do Roma come to Ireland?

Like other migrant’s Roma come to Ireland for different reasons. When the new accession countries joined the EU, the Roma came as migrant workers seeking a chance of a better life. Others came prior to the accession of the 12 new countries to the EU seeking asylum from the persecution suffered in their home countries because of  racial harassment , brutality from police and  religious persecution. Some of these are now granted refuges status, whilst others have been given leave to remain resident in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish born child. Many Roma have been in Ireland for up to 10 years and many have been granted citizenship through the naturalisation process and are now Irish Citizens.

 

Roma in Ireland since January 2007

In 2006 the Irish Government took the decision to restrict access to the labour market and social supports to citizens of Romania and Bulgaria on their accession in 2007. This in effect has created a 2 tier Europe and in practical terms has caused many further barriers and challenges to Roma from these countries in Ireland

Since the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU in January 2007, people who arrive from those countries do so legally; however, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals are not entitled to work in Ireland without a work permit, nor are they entitled to any welfare provision, including healthcare or emergency accommodation. Sometimes this leaves them in situations of severe hardship and distress such as the incident on the M50 roundabout at Ballymun in summer 2007, which received a lot of media attention.

There are many Roma living in very precarious conditions, in squats and run down houses, unable to access medical help if they, or provide the necessary supports to send their children to school. There has also been a rise in Roma begging on the streets, presenting to emergency food centre and to voluntary organisations in dire straits since Romania joined the E.U.

Understanding Roma Culture

Whilst Roma share many socio-cultural characteristics, history, traditions, cultural heritage, language base and socio-cultural characteristics, the Roma community are not a homogenous group and it is important not to over generalise or stereotype. The lived culture, traditions, life experience, needs and challenges for one Roma may not be so for another.

Nomadism

Historically nomadism was prohibited and many Roma were forced to settle. Nowadays most Roma are not nomadic, or may be nomadic for short periods at key times during the year. Many have settled in both rural and urban areas. Those who lead a nomadic lifestyle do so with a purpose, that is to practice their trades and skills. This has traditionally been as craftsmen and craftswomen, entertainers, musicians, dancers and the owners or operators of carnivals.  

 

Extended family

The family and extended are central to Roma culture, and Roma often travel with their extended family group and open their homes to their extended families. It is quite usual for 3 or 4 generations of the same family to live together.

 

Roma tend to marry and have children at a relatively young age, often having 6 or more children per family.  The family is strengthened and enlarged by the number of children born. There is a Romani proverb “Nane chave, nane bacht” which means – “If there are no children, it is bad luck”. Children and the elderly are much valued and held in an esteemed position within the community. Charity and sharing are central to Roma culture.

Women play a very important role within the family by running the household and taking care of the children, a valued role in the Roma community. Some Roma women wear the traditional dress of long colourful skirts and wear their hair braided and if a woman is married she may keep her head covered by a head scarf. However, not all Roma women wear traditional dress

Gender Equality

The modern movement towards women’s equality has not impacted on Roma women because they have not had the same access to education and resources as women generally. Roma women and their needs were not included in the mainstream Women’s rights movement and they face a ‘double discrimination’. It has only been since the mid 1990’s that the Roma Women’s rights movement has begun to develop with organisations like European Roma Rights Centre, International Romani Women’s Network and Romani Crisis putting Roma Women’s rights on the agenda. Nowadays many Roma women are engaging in education and employment at a much greater level, but there is still are huge amount to be done in the area of equality for Women.

 

Roma and Music:

Music, dance and theatre have traditionally been central to Roma identity and culture. The Roma have made considerable contributions to world music across many different genres including jazz, Middle Eastern music, flamenco music and dance, Jewish klezmer music and modern ‘gypsy’. Their unique Roma musical style has been brought to the Irish stage with performances by Damien and Brothers, The Gypsy Kings, Mahala Rai Banda and Fanfare Ciocarlia. In fact, many celebrated  entertainers such as Charlie Chaplin, Elvis Presley, Michael Caine, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hoskins and Lily Allen have all acknowledged their Romani ancestry.

 

Access to Work, Education and Health Services in Ireland

Access to Services

The Roma are the most disadvantaged migrant community in Ireland.  They are often unaware of their rights entitlements and responsibilities; and rely on informal information from within their own community which can lead to misinformation, confusion and exclusion. Roma are considered a “hard to reach group” by those working in public service provision, community and voluntary sector.

Roma rarely access services that might support them in Ireland. The barriers to accessing services in Ireland include distrust due to negative experiences in their home countries; lack on knowledge about services; language barriers; cultural differences and lack of training and resources for service providers.

Roma and Education  

Despite years of governmental promises, Roma children in many European countries remain excluded from quality education. Segregated into Roma-only classes or schools, wrongly shunted into special schools for children with intellectual disabilities, crowded into decrepit classrooms and let down by teachers' low expectations, Roma children face serious challenges to complete even basic education and are at the bottom of the pile in terms of educational attainment and participation.

 

• In Slovakia, Roma population is radically different from the Slovak population as a whole. While 30% of Women and 18.9% of Men of Slovak nationality attained only primary or lower education, this was the highest level of education attained by 79.5% of women and 74.1% of men who declared Romani nationality:[i]
• In Bulgaria, 81 percent of all persons between 16 and 19 years of age are enrolled in secondary education. While, Estimates says that only 12 percent of the country’s Roma between 16 and 19 years of age are enrolled in secondary education, and the table shows that only 7.6 percent of all Roma complete secondary education.[ii]

 

• The Czech Government estimated that 75 % of Roma Children are schooled in Special schools
• In Hungary there are 700 schools in which Roma are segregated in Education .[iii]
• According to the census the average length that  a child to spend in school in Romania is 11.2 years but for a Roma Child this falls to 6.8 years [iv]

Many Roma in Ireland have challenges engaging with the Irish education system and have poorer outcomes then other migrants, but most Roma would like their children to be educated to allow them to access a better life in Ireland. Many Roma children attend school, but not all of them. This is a consequence of lack of sufficient support and encouragement and the negative experiences of Roma parents due to discriminatory practices in education in their countries of origin.

Many Roma are unable to read or write in any language. Parents therefore cannot assist their children with their homework or communicate with teachers and are unaware of the day-to-day workings of a school.

Little or no proficiency in English is also a barrier to engaging with the education system. Cultural barriers such as the prohibition of traditional dress in schools are also a factor for concern. The curriculum also inhibits engagement with the Roma community as Roma history and identity is not included.   

Education is traditionally held in high esteem within the Roma community, but it is acquired and demonstrated differently than in Irish culture. Grandparents, parents, siblings and extended families are instrumental in educating young Roma people. Knowledge among the Roma is transferred orally, through narration of the experiences of the elders in the form of stories, fables, myths, proverbs, anecdotes, and riddles. There is strong evidence of willingness to engage in literacy and language classes where provision is delivered in appropriate way.

 

Roma and Work 

The massive and disproportionate exclusion of Roma from employment is an undisputed reality in most countries across Europe. There are many reasons for these statistics. Racism in the workplace and unwillingness of employers to employ members of the Roma community. Low levels of education and literacy of the Roma community.

• In Eastern Europe Roma are almost eight times more likely to experience long-term unemployment than their non-Romani counterparts[v].
• In the Czech Republic, the unemployment rate for the general population was 10.8% of the total work force in early 2004, whilst the official unemployment rate for Roma was estimated to be between 50% and 80%.
• Labour offices in a number of countries have frequently reported that employers attempt to submit listings stating that "Roma need not apply".[vi]

 

 In Ireland some Roma people work in construction, commercial cleaning  food processing, factories. Many more Roma would take any work that would earn them a living, however discrimination against Roma exists in Ireland and some employers are not willing to hire Roma people.  Roma have traditionally been excluded from residing and working in many countries across Europe. This may be a lifestyle they have grown accustomed to due to a history of exclusion from employment. There are also issues of poor education, language and literacy which is a barrier for many Roma entering the workforce.  

 

Roma who are nationals of Romania or Bulgaria who have arrived in Ireland since 2007 are not allowed to work without a permit. These restrictions may have resulted in begging as the only source of income. Begging is also sometimes used by some margianlised group’s of Roma as a way to supplement a families income. Begging is not part of Roma culture but a serious shortage of money to live on and to provide for children often leaves members of the Roma community with no other choice but to beg. Most members of the Roma community do not engage in begging and do not approve begging especially involving children and vulnerable adults.  

Roma Health  

The Roma Community generally have lower then average life expectancy, higher infant mortality and higher levels of poor nutritional related illnesses etc than the majority population. Sub-standard living conditions, high levels of poverty and limited access to health care and persistent discrimination and marginalisation have resulted in poorer health for individuals and communities.

• Life expectancy for Roma populations in Eastern Europe is about 10 years less then overall population[vii]
• Infant mortality rates are twice as high among the Roma then non Roma in the Czech republic, Slovakia and Hungary.[viii]
• Studies show higher rates of vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition, anemia, dystrophy and rickets among Roma children[ix]

Access healthcare in Ireland can often be problematic for the Roma community. Lack of language and literacy to fill in medical card forms, read appointment cards and navigate the complex system are often barriers. Cultural issues and misunderstandings in hospitals and doctors surgery’s can prevent the Roma accessing healthcare. Incidents of racism and prejudice in healthcare settings have also been reported as barriers to getting medical services

Roma in Ireland : Into the Future

There is now a significant population of Roma with status to be resident in Ireland.  This community must be recognised as part of Ireland now and to be successfully integrated.  This involves a range of organisations working in partnership to be achieved.

Pavee Point calls for:

·               The  Office of the Minister for Integration and other relevant Government Departments, to resource much needed long term development work with the legally resident Roma community around issues such as Educational disadvantage, health, integration, employment and training, social exclusion and  discrimination

·               Ensure that Roma community are directly represented on any future  Ministerial Council, Integration or representational Forum. Without Roma participation in decision making policies  for there integration  will fail.

 

 

At a European level

• On the Irish government to put pressure on the Eastern European  governments to ensure the improvement of human rights and living conditions for Roma in their countries of origin, particularly in relation to accessing education and employment, citizenship rights and freedom and protection from police brutality and institutional racism.
• A European solution is required to this European wide problem and the Irish Government needs to be at the forefront at looking at the issues that need to be addressed
• Failure to tackle the issues and challenges facing Roma has resulted in a bleak outlook for the community and this in turn will mean a huge loss for Irish society.

 

 

Report: Roma Educational Needs in Ireland Context and Challenges

by Louise Lesovitch. Published by City of Dublin VEC. 2005. 108 pages.

It is without doubt the case that Roma men, women and children would benefit from targeted educational interventions and supports. A number of interventions documented in the current report attest to this. Yet this fact must be set within the context of one of the chief findings of this report: Provision for the Roma community will not be achieved without considerable attention to cultural and social factors.

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