Background to
the Research
- In
recent years there has been growing concern about the living conditions
of the approximately 250 Traveller families who live in NI.
The purpose of this report was to examine what has happened to create
the crisis in Traveller accommodation.
Research
Approach
- The
report examined this crisis by:
- Examining
the issue of Traveller nomadism and how this has shaped the law
and policy making.
- Tracing
the development of legislation in Britain, NI and
the ROI.
- Looking
at how this legislation has been implemented.
- Evaluating
the provision made by local councils and identifying important
areas for change.
- Drawing
attention to the need for the involvement of Travellers themselves.
Main
Findings
Demographic
Profile
- The
number of Travellers in NI is estimated to be between
1,200 and 1,300, approximately 0.07% of the total population. They
form part of a larger ethnic group of Irish Travellers, estimated
to number around 22,000 in the ROI, with a further 15,000 in Britain
and 10,000 Travellers in the USA.
- The
demographic profile of the Travelling community in N Ireland shows
a number of significant differences with that of their settled counterparts.
Studies reveal that the settled population has 28% of its members
aged between 0-16 compared with 53% of Travellers. While 33% of settled
people are aged over 45, this drops to 6% among Travellers. Travellers
also have a higher birth rate but also a higher infant mortality rate
and a significantly lower life expectancy.
General
Conclusions of the Report
- The
absence of an accommodation policy which recognises and facilities
Traveller nomadism and respects cultural differences has an adverse
effect on all aspects of Travellers lives; most importantly health,
education and economic opportunity.
- While
the Race Relations Order now recognises Travellers right not to be
discriminated against in the provision of goods and services, there
is a need for a more pro-active approach, which would pre-empt indirect
discrimination.
- The
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1985 has not
been an effective piece of legislation. The Order which identifies
local councils as possible providers also gives them special powers
of prosecution.
- The
limited number of sites which have been provided by local councils
are unsatisfactory for a number of reasons including health and amenity
standards, expense and cultural incompatibility.
- There
is a need for the involvement of Travellers in all aspects of accommodation
provision, from site location and design to management and evaluation.
Travellers and Traveller Support Groups need to be adequately resourced
to participate in a partnership approach to accommodation provision.
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