Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, today announced details of Phase 2 of the comprehensive consultation process in relation to the development of a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
The consultation process allows interested parties to make submissions in key areas such as anti-discrimination and equality, cultural identity, accommodation, health, employment, education, political participation and children and youth.
Phase 1 of the consultation process to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy in Ireland was launched in 2015. As indicated at that time, the consultations are taking the form of a 3-stage process as follows:
1. An initial round of consultations to identify the priority themes to be addressed in a revised National Inclusion Strategy.
2. A second phase (now being commenced) to identify and agree specific objectives under each of the themes identified in Phase 1.
3. A third phase which will focus on identifying precise and measurable actions and timescales for achievement of each of the objectives that emerge from Phase 2.
Thereafter, a final draft proposal for a revised Strategy will be prepared for consideration by Government.
A total of 38 submissions were received in Phase 1. These submissions have been analyzed by the Department of Justice and Equality, with the help of Pavee Point.
The Minister of State today published a set of suggested high-level objectives for the new Strategy on which views are now being sought. There are two ways people can participate and make their views known - by responding to an online survey or participating at 4 regional meetings:
Sligo – 2nd February, The Glasshouse Hotel, 10am – 1pm
Athlone – 3rd February, Radisson Blu Hotel, 10am – 1pm
Dublin – 11th February, The Atrium, Dept of Justice and Equality, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 10am – 1pm
Limerick – 16th February, Absolute Hotel, 10am – 1pm.
Further details are available on the Department of Justice and Equality’s website at http://justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/WP15000120