Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
396. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to commit to ensuring that the Traveller Graduate Network is supported in its provision of mentoring programmes, workshops and jobs fairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16957/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Traveller Graduate Network (TGN) is a group of graduates, professionals and changemakers from within the community who support and encourage the development of the potential of Travellers – specifically within higher education spaces. As TGN members have already progressed through the system, there is an understanding of the challenges and barriers that may be faced by others. Therefore, the TGN aims to help tackle those barriers so that all Travellers have the support and opportunity to progress through the education system. The TGN is a peer-to-peer network which offers advice and support to members and believes that Traveller graduates are stronger together. The TGN aims to shift the narrative around the different types of education among the wider community.
The vision of the National Access Plan 2022 -2028 (NAP), supported by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Higher Education Authority, is to ensure that the student body entering, participating and completing higher education reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. Under the NAP, the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) is the main funding stream that supports the implementation of the plan. PATH is a multi-stranded strategic funding initiative supporting delivery of equity of access objectives.
PATH 3 provides funding to support the development of regional and community partnership strategies for increasing access to higher education by specified groups. Regional clusters of higher education institutions (HEIs) were invited to submit proposals under PATH 3; in response, the South Cluster of HEIs devised the SOAR Project. Under the SOAR project the TGN was established. In 2025 PATH 3 moved from pilot initiatives to sustainable multi-annual funding streams. The fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The latest National Access Plan – National Access Plan: A Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education 2022-2028 published in August 2022 is available at: www.soarforaccess.ie/about-us/.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and its agency – the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) – are responsible for the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011, which cover employees in both the public and private sectors as well as applicants for employment and training. The Acts outlaw discrimination in work-related areas such as pay, vocational training, access to employment, work experience and promotion, including on the grounds of being a Member of the Traveller Community. Cases involving harassment and victimisation at work are also covered by the Acts. The WRC also publishes codes of practice on issues like bullying, harassment, and grievance procedures, which apply to all employees, including Travellers. These codes help employers create inclusive workplaces and prevent discrimination.
My 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. The Government remains committed to Irish enterprises and employment growth, and I will continue to monitor developments in the business environment and labour market.
