Travellers continue to experience health inequalities. In 2010 the All Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) was published.1 The results of the survey demonstrated that the Traveller mortality rate was 3.9 times that of the general population and they have a much lower life expectancy; Traveller men live 15.1 years less than other men while Traveller women live 11.5 years less than other women.2 The suicide rate for Traveller men is 6.6 per cent higher than the general population and accounts for 11 per cent of all Traveller deaths.3 The infant mortality rate in 2008 was 3.6 times the infant mortality rate for the general population, up from a ratio of 2.4 in 1987.4
While resources have been dedicated to tackling some of the inequalities in Traveller health, the allocated funding has consistently been underspent by an average of 18 per cent between 2008 and 2011.5 The Intercultural Health Strategy 2007-2012 was launched in 2008 but did not receive the required funding for its full implementation.6 The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) called on the Government to reduce health inequalities and take steps to monitor and improve the health status of Travellers.7 Despite these stark statistics there has been no action plan developed by Government to address the findings of the All Ireland Health Study.
FLAC urges the Committee to recommend that the State:
Develop a new National Traveller Health Implementation Plan to address the findings of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study.
Implement measures aimed at reducing mortality rates for Traveller children.
1 Kelleher et al (2010) Our Geels, All Ireland Traveller Health Study, University College Dublin & Department of Health & Children.
2 Kelleher et al (2010) Our Geels, All Ireland Traveller Health Study, University College Dublin & Department of Health & Children, p.95.
3 Kelleher et al (2010) Our Geels, All Ireland Traveller Health Study, University College Dublin & Department of Health & Children, p.94.
4 Kelleher et al (2010) Our Geels, All Ireland Traveller Health Study, University College Dublin & Department of Health & Children, p.87.
5 B. Harvey (2013) Travelling with Austerity: Impacts of Cuts on Travellers, Traveller Projects and Services, Dublin: Pavee Point, pp.29-30.
6 Health Service Executive (2012) National Intercultural Health Strategy 2007-2012: Update March 2012, Dublin: Health Service Executive, p.2.
7 European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (2013) ECRI Report on Ireland (fourth monitoring cycle), Strasbourg: Council of Europe, p.23.
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