Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
393. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the consideration his Department is giving to the creation of a comprehensive national Traveller employment plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16954/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration will be given to providing additional resources and support to Traveller organisations engaged in upskilling and employment creation work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will establish an awareness campaign to promote to employers, traveller inclusion in the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394 and 395 together.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment continues to engage with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) on the implementation of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II, which was launched in July 2024. Under the accompanying Action Plan, DETE has a number of recommendations for which we are responsible, in particular under Theme 5 Employment and Enterprise. The strategic outcome under this theme is for Travellers and Roma to have equal access to quality and sustainable employment; for entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities for Travellers and Roma to be supported; and for a positive and inclusive workplace culture where diversity is valued and every individual is treated with respect and dignity. Officials from this Department actively participate in the steering committee overseeing this work and are engaged in regular reporting with DCDE.
My Department also regularly engages with the Department of Social Protection, who actively work to promote and recruit for apprenticeship programmes in the labour market through the work of Intreo Employment Personal Advisors/Job Coaches. In addition, JobsIreland.ie, the online vacancy website of the department, has an information page for those interested in providing and participating on apprenticeship programmes. Apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on JobsIreland.ie and the platform also contains a link to the Generation Apprenticeship page with all relevant information pertaining to Apprenticeships, including the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP). Apprentices with children may be eligible for the Working Family Payment if they meet its conditions. The TAIP itself is funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund under the Department of Rural and Community Development. Through engagement with the Department’s Traveller and Roma Consultative Forum, Traveller representative organisations are in regular dialogue with Intreo Employment Services staff, and promote the programme.
I welcome a number of recent initiatives in this space including:
The Traveller and Roma Inclusive Employment Employer Guide (2025) launched by The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and supported by Pavee Point and The Irish Traveller Movement. This is a guide to employers to provide a roadmap for business es to tackle systemic racism and foster inclusion, and it showcases successful initiatives including the ESB apprenticeship programme and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration placement programme.
The Civil Service Traveller and Roma Work Placement Programme which aims to promote greater participation and inclusion of individuals from these communities in the civil service. It includes a 12-month period of work placement at Clerical Officer and Executive Officer level with a participating Government Department or Office. During the placement, candidates can apply for a confined competition for a permanent position within their host Department.
Business in the Community Ireland run a dedicated programme to support Travellers in accessing and sustaining employment and offer one to one coaching, CV writing and interview preparation. The Programme also provides Traveller Culture Awareness Training for employers to help them understand barriers to employment.
This Department’s activities are focussed on developing the framework conditions under which employment opportunities can be generated and optimised. Then, by working across Government, in particular through Pathways to Work and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II, the aim is to maximise uptake across all sections of society – in particular by those who are inactive or marginalised from the labour force, including Travellers and Roma.
My Department remains committed to Irish enterprises and employment growth, and I will continue to monitor developments in the business environment and labour market.
