Roma in Ireland Pavee Point

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77.5% of respondents reported being stopped by An Garda Síochána for ID.
81.1% of respondents reported having felt discriminated against in the street or a public setting.
Respondents reported that there were households with 10+ people (7.3%), overcrowding and poor quality accommodation, and homelessness (6.6%). Image: Irish Mirror
Respondents reported children have gone to school hungry (25%) and without adequate lunches (35%).
40% of households with children under the age of five reported that children were attending pre-school. In 78% of households primary aged children were attending school. Post primary aged children were attending school in 72% of households.
In 37.8% households, adults reported that they had never been to school, 17% of respondents reported that they are in employment, and in 17.6% of households begging was reported as a source of income.

It is estimated that there are up to 5,000 Roma currently living in Ireland, with most coming from Romania and Slovakia.

Roma are residents and citizens of countries all across Europe, including Hungary, Bulgaria, France, the Czech Republic, Germany and Spain. Roma in Ireland are generally EU citizens. Many Roma are now Irish citizens and there are now many second and third generation Roma who have been born in Ireland.

National Roma Needs Assessment

In 2018, the first National Roma Neesd Assessment was published. The Roma Needs Assessment was a mixed-methods study, based on human rights and equality frameworks. Roma researchers were involved at every stage of the project, from the design to the dissemination of findings.

Results of Needs Assessment

The Needs Assessment shows that 20% of Roma are being left without ongoing financial support (including child benefit), social housing supports (including homeless supports) and employment training supports, such as community employment. As a result some Roma are experiencing severe hardship.

Roma also face high levels of discrimination in the street, in finding accommodation and in employment.

This video (4 mins) features Gabi Muntean of Pavee Point speaking about her work on the National Roma Needs Assessment.

Report recommendations:

Enhance humanitarian responses for Roma families living in extreme poverty
Undertake targeted training to support labour market activation of Roma in key areas

Provide support to Roma in ensuring documentation for social protection applications
Review the legislative and policy restrictions that impact on the provision of medical cards for Roma with no income.
Take effective measures to tackle anti-Roma discrimination and racism with a priority focus on Roma women
Introduce a standardised ethnic identifier in administrative systems and the Census to include Roma using the human rights framework

Background to the Research

This is the first national participatory research project of its kind with Roma in Ireland. It is also the first time that such a large number of Roma participants have shared information about their experiences.

Roma peer researchers conducted quantitative interviews in over 100 Roma households across Ireland, and Roma also participated in focus groups with representatives from civil society and statutory agencies.

Additionally, 30 interviews were conducted with policy-makers, practitioners, services providers and civil society representatives working with Roma.

For further resources on Roma go to our Library.

For our Roma Factsheet see here.

It is estimated that there are up to 5,000 Roma currently living in Ireland, with most coming from Romania and Slovakia.

National Roma Needs Assessment

In 2018, the first National Roma Neesd Assessment was published. The Roma Needs Assessment was a mixed-methods study, based on human rights and equality frameworks. Roma researchers were involved at every stage of the project, from the design to the dissemination of findings.

Results of Needs Assessment

The Needs Assessment shows that 20% of Roma are being left without ongoing financial support (including child benefit), social housing supports (including homeless supports) and employment training supports, such as community employment. As a result some Roma are experiencing severe hardship.

Roma also face high levels of discrimination in the street, in finding accommodation and in employment.

This video (4 mins) features Gabi Muntean of Pavee Point speaking about her work on the National Roma Needs Assessment.

Report recommendations:

Enhance humanitarian responses for Roma families living in extreme poverty

Undertake targeted training to support labour market activation of Roma in key areas

Provide support to Roma in ensuring documentation for social protection applications

Review the legislative and policy restrictions that impact on the provision of medical cards for Roma with no income.

Take effective measures to tackle anti-Roma discrimination and racism with a priority focus on Roma women

Introduce a standardised ethnic identifier in administrative systems and the Census to include Roma using the human rights framework

Background to the Research

This is the first national participatory research project of its kind with Roma in Ireland. It is also the first time that such a large number of Roma participants have shared information about their experiences.

Roma peer researchers conducted quantitative interviews in over 100 Roma households across Ireland, and Roma also participated in focus groups with representatives from civil society and statutory agencies.

Additionally, 30 interviews were conducted with policy-makers, practitioners, services providers and civil society representatives working with Roma.

For further resources on Roma go to our Library.

For our Roma Factsheet see here.