All-Ireland study on travellers' health revealed

Academics are to carry out an all-Ireland study on the health of travellers, it emerged today.

Run by staff from University College Dublin, the survey comes a fortnight after an alarming investigation showed half of travellers die before their 39th birthday.

Now researchers from UCD’s School of Public Health and Population Science are to carry out their own detailed assessment of travellers’ health on both sides of the border.

The report is being commissioned by the Department of Health in conjunction with the north’s Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety.

The study is being launched by Minister for Health Mary Harney.