Sorca Clarke
Question:267. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the last time the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study was completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68421/25]
View answerWednesday, 3 December 2025
Questions (267)
Written answers
The All-Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/all-ireland-traveller-health-study/) was published in 2010.
The National Traveller Health Action Plan 2022-2027 (NTHAP) (www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/socialinclusion/national-traveller-health-action-plan-2022-2027.pdf) was launched in November 2022 and seeks to address inequalities in Traveller health. The plan has 4 goals, 9 strategic objectives and 45 actions. This plan was developed to respond to the findings from the AITHS, to address the specific health needs of Travellers using a social determinants approach. The action plan is supported by an annual expenditure of €14m by the HSE.
The Department of Health has funded two additional initiatives to improve Traveller health. The Social Determinants of Traveller Health and the Brighter Beginnings projects are initiatives designed to directly support the implementation of the NTHAP. They provide targeted resources to tackle structural inequalities (like housing, education, and poverty) and to improve child health outcomes.
1. Social Determinants of Health Project (€710,000, 2025).
Five local projects received funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund to address the social determinants of Traveller health. Projects are aligned with the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme, ensuring Traveller health initiatives are embedded in mainstream government efforts to reduce health inequalities.
2. Traveller Brighter Beginnings (€500,000, 2025).
Provides recurring funding for Traveller child health project in two HSE health regions. This initiative focuses on early childhood health and wellbeing. It ties into the government’s Child Poverty and Wellbeing Programme, ensuring Traveller children benefit from national health priorities. A funding call for two additional Brighter Beginnings projects was recently issued by the HSE.
I am committed to improving the health experience and outcomes for Travellers, informed by the findings of the AITHS.