Travellers excluded from vital services - report

MANY TRAVELLERS are excluded from vital public services, such as health, social welfare, education, legal advice, banking and accommodation, because of low literacy levels and insecure accommodation, a report published today has found.

The report, Service Provision to Travellers in Northside Dublin, outlines the views of the service providers and Travellers.

Low levels of literacy among Travellers is identified by both as one of the greatest obstacles in providing information and services.

“Lack of understanding among some service providers of just how low the level of literacy is among Traveller adults inadvertently creates obstacles,” notes the report.

“Low literacy levels lead to a lack of confidence and significant gaps have emerged between those who have information and education and those who do not.”

The report states many Travellers are coming from a very low base when attempting to improve their literacy. One service provider interviewed suggested that specialised services be provided to bring them to a point where they could actually participate in literacy classes.

“If Travellers are to receive the level of welfare and support that should be available to all Irish citizens and have the knowledge and ability to combat social exclusion they are so frequently subjected to, then access to relevant information and advice is essential,” notes the report.

Commissioned by a number of bodies including the Northside Citizen Information Service and the Northside Partnership, it states the most important issue is access to and maintenance of accommodation.

It points to a lack of appropriate information about how local authorities allocate housing and maintain it. It refers to varied quality of management of Traveller sites and overcrowding and inadequate maintenance of some.

“Enforced mobility and evictions continue to present key barriers to Travellers accessing a range of services.”

From the service-providers point of view, the high cost of maintaining Traveller sites, poor condition of sites and the perception of violence and dumping are noted.