Public sector told to lead by example in employing members of Traveller community

Joint committee on key issues affecting the Traveller community heard the unemployment rate remains high at around 80% despite several reports and pilot initiatives over the past two decades.

Martin Ward from the Galway Traveller Movement said the success of the BBR initiative had “busted the myth that Travellers don’t want to work”.

The public sector must lead by example and commit to recruiting members of the Travelling community to bridge the “significant employment gap” and break down existing barriers, an Oireachtas committee heard today.

The joint committee on key issues affecting the Traveller community heard that the unemployment rate remains high at around 80% despite several reports and pilot initiatives over the past two decades.