Unemployment rate for Travellers is ‘unacceptable’

NEW figures showing that three-quarters of Traveller men are unemployed provide stark evidence the Travelling community are being excluded from the country’s social and economic life, it was claimed yesterday.

“These figures are quite striking and point to the barriers to Travellers gaining employment - and the level of discrimination in the workplace,” said Pavee Point director, Ronnie Fay.

According to the 2002 Census, 23,700 Travellers live in the State. Male Traveller unemployment at 73% compares with the general unemployment rate of 9.4%. Nearly two-thirds of Travellers drop out of school at primary level, compared to 21% for the overall population.