Howlin in call for apprenticeship schemes for young Travellers
THE national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy report states the rate of unemployment among Travellers is 80%, which affects a staggering four out of five, Labour party leader Brendan Howlin told the Dáil. Only one in eight Travellers, or just 12%, completes secondary education. By any yardstick, they are shocking statistics, he said.
‘If they described a minority group in another jurisdiction, we would, rightly, be concerned and voice our views about it, but we continue to allow that situation to prevail,’ he said.
‘I am not persuaded by any argument to the effect that more is paid in social welfare to Travellers than to others or that because they have large families, there is a disincentive to work. Other large families enter paid employment and welfare payments are designed to support families in work.’
Deputy Howlin asked whether a specific apprenticeship schemes for young Travellers should be instituted, resourced and put in place across the country. However, he said all of the training in the world will not make a difference if there are no jobs and businesses open, available and willing to employ Travellers.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the Government has published the national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy 2017 to 2021. ‘ The strategy contains 149 actions grouped under ten themes, including cultural identity, education, health,