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ITM Annual Report 1999

1. INTRODUCTION

The death of John O Connell marked a sad ending to the year 1999. John was a founder member of the Irish Traveller Movement, the director of Pavee Point, a huge contributor to identifying appropriate solutions to the problems faced by Travellers and a valued colleague in the work for justice in Ireland. His loss is very much felt and his legacy will continue to inspire all of us involved in the work. The death of Victor Bewley marked the passing of old friend of Travellers from all around Ireland. Victor was among the first group of settled people who sought to support Travellers in addressing the problems they faced. Our sympathies are with the families of John and Victor.

1999 will hopefully be remembered as the transition year between setting up the new structures identified in the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community and the commencement of the actions that will transform the reality for Travellers in Ireland. The Irish Traveller Movement welcomed the establishment of the Equality Authority, the establishment of Traveller Accommodation Committees in all the Local Authorities, the work that is being done on the production of Traveller accommodation programmes, and work that is being done on the production of a Traveller Health Strategy. Against this we must look at the reality that over the last five years only 123 new units of Traveller specific accommodation has been provided, Travellers on a daily basis still experience discrimination, and Travellers are still experiencing difficulties accessing health and education services. The coming year must be the year when the structures begin to deliver real results for Travellers. This can happen if those with responsibilities in relation to Travellers fulfill these responsibilities. The Irish Traveller Movement alongside other national and local Traveller organisations will play their part in trying to ensure that progress is made.

The strength of the Irish Traveller Movement is based on the active participation of all our members. This is demonstrated through the high participation at our AGM and in the working groups of the Irish Traveller Movement. The work of the Central Group is also an important aspect of the members of the Irish Traveller Movement taking ownership of the organisation. In the last year there have being many changes in the staff of Traveller organisations. It is important that these new staff play a part in ensuring that the Irish Traveller Movement continues as a strong partnership organisation with active involvement of Travellers and settled people.

The dedication the staff of the Irish Traveller Movement continues to be the strength of the organisation. We would like to thank them for their work and offer them our continued support and partnership over the coming year.

Maureen Ward, Kathleen Stokes
Co-Chairpersons,
Irish Traveller Movement
March 2000

2. IRISH TRAVELLER MOVEMENT

The Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) is a national network of organisations and individuals working within the Traveller community. ITM was established in 1990 and now has over eighty Traveller organisations from all parts of Ireland in its membership. ITM brings together Travellers and settled people who are committed to achieving full equality for Travellers in Irish society. This partnership is reflected in all of the structures of ITM.

The initial work of ITM involved campaigning for a new policy framework for addressing the exclusion and discrimination faced by Travellers. This campaigning resulted in the establishment of the Task Force on the Travelling Community in 1993. The Task Force brought together politicians, officials from Government Departments and representatives of Traveller organisations. The Task Force met over a period of two years and reported in 1995. The report of the Task Force makes a series of important recommendations on areas including: culture, accommodation, education, health, discrimination and economy. The report also made recommendations concerning Traveller women and Travellers with a disability. Recommendations aimed at improving the relationship between Travellers and members of the 'settled' community were also proposed. These recommendations if implemented would make a significant improvement to the situation of Travellers.

Since the publication of the report of the Task Force a number of important national committees have been put in place as recommended in the report. These are the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, the National Advisory Committee on Traveller Education, the National Traveller Health Advisory Committee and the Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community. Committees to address health and accommodation issues have also been established at the local and regional level. In addition important legislative changes have been made. These include: the Control of Horses Act, the Employment Equality Act and the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act and the Equal Status Bill. Further information about these developments is contained in this report.

The current work of ITM is concerned with the effective operation of these committees and to ensuring that they advance the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Task Force. ITM is also concerned that the capacity of Traveller organisations is strengthened at the local, regional, and national levels in order that Traveller interests can be adequately represented in the structures charged with overseeing the implementation of the recommendations.

ITM recognises that the situation of Travellers will not be improved in isolation from the challenges faced by other individuals and communities in Irish society who experience discrimination and poverty. Therefore ITM seeks to play its part in the wider community sector and seeks to engage in a range of fora and policy initiatives that can contribute to achieving a more equitable society.

3. ACTIVITIES REPORT 1999

3.1 TRAVELLERS AND ACCOMMODATION

During 1999 accommodation for Travellers remained a central concern of our work. The grant from the Department of the Environment and Local Government allowed us to employ an Accommodation Officer and without this post we could not have delivered the range of activities that are outlined below.

Irish Traveller Movement - Accommodation Group

The Accommodation Working Group of the Irish Traveller Movement met on six occasions during 1999. These meetings took place in Birr, Cork, Galway, Dublin, Waterford and Donegal. The participation in the working group remains high with representatives from, Tullamore, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Pavee Point, Galway and the Parish of the Travelling People. The meetings were an occasion to support the accommodation work of the Local Traveller Group. The meetings also allowed for visits to see the living conditions of Travellers in the area, official sites, group housing and on the roadside. The meetings often provided an opportunity to meet and have discussions with officials and elected representatives of the local council.

Training for Traveller Representatives on Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees

A second focus of the work on Traveller accommodation was the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees. These committees have been established in each local authority area, as part of the requirements of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. Each of the committees has representatives from the officials and elected members of local authorities as well as representatives of Travellers and Traveller organisations. The committees are to draw up local Traveller accommodation programmes by the end of March 2000. To support the representatives of Traveller interests on the committees the Irish Traveller Movement has provided training for these representatives. The training was provided over three days and covered issues such as, local authority structures, the implications of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, the role of Traveller representatives and an opportunity to reflect on their participation in the local committees. The training was offered in three locations, Galway, Dublin and Cork, and was completed in March. There were approximately 70 participants on the training. Follow up sessions were organised in the three locations in June and July, to further support the participation of Traveller representatives on the committees. These sessions allowed time to discuss and make proposals about what should be included in the Local Traveller Accommodation Programmes.

Accommodation Workers Meeting

Increasingly local groups are accessing money to employ workers to concentrate on the area of accommodation. This is a welcome development and one which will need to be further resourced if the local framework for involving Travellers in consultation about Traveller accommodation programmes and the management and maintenance of the accommodation provided is to be taken seriously. The Irish Traveller Movement organised a meeting for the local accommodation workers, this gave them an opportunity to discuss their work and to look at how they might support the accommodation work of the Irish Traveller Movement.

Nomadism Seminar

While the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 recognises the need to provide a network of transient halting sites in respect of the nomadic aspect of Traveller culture, the willingness to provide such accommodation and the best means to make this provision is little understood. The Irish Traveller Movement along with Traveller Movement (Northern Ireland) held a seminar on Traveller Nomadism to explore this theme and to identify the practical issues involved. Over 50 people attended the seminar.

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

The work at a local, regional and national level was essential for feeding into the work of the Irish Traveller Movement on the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee. This committee is made up of representatives of local authorities, relevant government departments and the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women's Forum and Pavee Point. The Traveller Unit in the Department of Environment and Local Government provide back up to the work of the committee.

The Committee made input into the memorandum prepared by the department, for local authorities regarding the implementation of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act. The committee also assisted in the production of Guidelines for Residential Caravan Parks for Travellers and Guidelines for the provision of Basic Services and Facilities pending the Provision of Permanent Accommodation. The Committee also made input into the following documents: Accommodation Options for Travellers, Guidelines for provision of Transient Sites, and a Grant/Loan Scheme for Caravans. These documents should be available shortly.

The committee is also looking at the issues of:

the management and maintenance of Traveller accommodation,
the consultation process used in the setting up of Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees and the production of Local Traveller Accommodation Programmes,
The adequacy of the provision of Traveller accommodation
Guidelines for Group Housing and
the design of Caravans for long-term living. Progress should be made on these areas during 2000.

Additional Activities

In addition to the above the accommodation officer has provided phone advice on individual accommodation situations of Travellers. He has attended and made inputs into meetings of Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees, and into Local Traveller Accommodation Forums. He has also, at the request of the Institute of Public Administration, addressed a meeting of the Association of City and County Managers.

3.2 TRAVELLERS AND EDUCATION

Irish Traveller Movement - Education Group

The Education Working Group met 5 times during 1999. The participation in the Group remains small with representatives from Finglas, Clondalkin, and Pavee Point, and some input from Kerry, Tullamore and Limerick. The group has sought a meeting with the Minister for Education and Science to discuss issues in relation to Traveller education and to request funding for an Education Worker with the Irish Traveller Movement who would animate this aspect of the work of our work.

The Education Working Group held a meeting on Traveller education in Waterford. Over twenty people attended this meeting. The aim of the meeting was to engage Travellers and Traveller parents in discussions about Traveller education and to look at the issues that they experience in the Waterford area. The meeting was very successful and this type of meeting should be held in a number of areas in the coming year.

The Education Working Group also arranged a mini-seminar on the issue of resourcing the participation of Travellers in the post primary system. This seminar brought together Travellers, those working in Traveller organisations and people engaged in schools or out of school services for Travellers. The outcomes of the seminar were fed into the work of the National Advisory Committee on Traveller Education.

The National Advisory Committee on Traveller Education

The National Advisory Committee on Traveller Education was established late in 1998. The Committee is made up of representatives from the Department of Education and Science and representatives from the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women's Forum and Pavee Point. The work of the committee has concentrated on the issue of resources for Traveller participation in Post-Primary Schools - guidelines are presently being prepared on this issue. The committee is also involved in an evaluation process of pre-school services for Travellers. The committee has also discussed the Green paper on Adult Education.

Additional Activities

A submission was made on the Green Paper on Adult Education and a presentation was made to the committee in the Department of Education and Science responsible for the follow up on the Green Paper. A presentation was made to a training event organised by the visiting teacher service. A presentation was made to a conference organised by the Association of Teachers of Travelling People. Members of the Education Group took part in a roundtable discussion organised by the Combat Poverty Agency.

3.3 TRAVELLERS AND EQUALITY

Irish Traveller Movement - Anti Discrimination Group

In response to the discussion at last year’s AGM, the Anti-Discrimination Group arranged a series of Know Your Right Workshops. These workshops were held in Limerick, Galway, Enniscorthy and Dublin (Northside). Between twenty and thirty people attended each workshop. The workshop gave an opportunity to discuss the types of discrimination experienced by Travellers and what actions could be taken in the different situations. The workshops were also an occasion to give out information on the situation regarding the new equality legislation and the new equality institutions.

The anti-discrimination group met an additional four times in order to prepare the workshops and to follow up on other areas of work. The group produced a response to the Equal Status Bill that was distributed to all of the TD's. Follow up calls were made to TD's that were more centrally involved and meetings were arranged with some of them. Discussions were also held with the relevant officials in the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform. Some of the amendments proposed by the Irish Traveller Movement are being incorporated and it is hoped that the Bill will be passed into law in the first half of 2000.

Additional Activities

In addition a submission was made on the proposed strategic plan of the Equality Authority and this was followed up at a consultation meeting with staff of the Authority. Presentations were made at the Law Society and in conferences organised by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. The Irish Traveller Movement took part in the Human Rights Forum organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Support was also given for the establishment of Naas Equality for Travellers and assisted with the planning of a conference that they will hold in April 2000.

The new Equality Legislation and Equality Institutions will create new opportunities and challenges for the Irish Traveller Movement in the coming years. To reflect this, the position of Development Worker will be changed to Equality worker and the development work will be shared across all members of the staff.

3.4 TRAVELLERS AND YOUTH

Irish Traveller Movement - Youth Work Group (Geiste Gotchin Minceir)

Four planning meetings of the Youth Work Group (Geiste Gotchin Minceir) took place during 1999. One of these was held in Wexford and the other three were held in Dublin. There continues to be a good attendance at these meetings with participation from Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Wexford, Tullamore, Navan and Kerry. The planning meetings offer an opportunity to share information on the youth activities in the local areas, to plan activity events, and to address national issues in youth work.

The event arranged for young Travellers in 1999 was, an information and awareness session on drugs and AIDS. The event also included workshops on drama and music. A disco was held in the evening prior to the event. Over 65 people took place in the event.

Currently the Youth Working Group is planning a media-training event with support from Citizen Traveller, and a talent show for young Travellers is also being planned.

Interim Youth Committee

In 1998 an Interim Youth Committee was established, bringing together representatives from Traveller organisations delivering youth services, from the National Association of Training Centres, from National Youth Organisations, and those engaged in providing youth work training. This Committee will shortly report and make recommendations in relation to Travellers and youth work.

3.5 OTHER AREAS OF TRAVELLER WORK

Travellers and Health

The reality of the poor health statistics within the Traveller community means that this is an issue of great concern to Traveller organisations. The Irish Traveller Movement has participated in the Traveller Health Network that brings together health workers from local Traveller organisations. The Irish Traveller Movement is represented on the National Advisory Committee on Traveller Health that is within the Department of Health and Children. Throughout 1999 this Committee has made progress on the production of a National Traveller Health Strategy and it is hoped that this strategy will be published in the first half of 2000.

Travellers and Horses

The Control of Horses Act 1996 and the byelaws produced by local authorities on the basis of this legislation have created difficulties for Travellers who keep horses. The Irish Traveller Movement has arranged a number of meetings to address this. These meetings assisted local groups to develop proposals on horse projects that would enable Travellers to comply with the legislation while retaining their horses. A number of these proposals were submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Food – the body responsible for the legislation - but they were not successful. The meetings also looked at the legal situation and advised Travellers on issues relating to the impounding of horses.

Networking with Traveller Groups

Networking with Traveller Groups remains an important part of the work of the Irish Traveller Movement. The networking at a regional level is an important means to develop participation and to share information about the work of the Irish Traveller Movement. The planning group of the Southern Network met on three occasions during 1999. During these meetings the groups had a chance to share information on the work of their local groups. There were also two planning meetings of the East Coast Network during the year. In addition the East Coast Network held a day in Enniscorthy looking at the issue of discrimination and the Anti-discrimination group facilitated this day. Staff of the Irish Traveller Movement continue to play an active part in DACT - Dublin Accommodation Coalition for Travellers.

During 1999 a number of local Traveller groups accessed resources to hold seminars and cultural events aimed at Traveller groups and statutory service providers for their region, these included, Tralee, Bray, Dun Laoighaire, and Galway. Staff from the Irish Traveller Movement took part in these events.

Three meetings were held between representatives of the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women's Forum and Pavee Point. These meetings gave an opportunity to share information, to coordinate plans and to support some joint activities. These meetings gave us an opportunity to coordinate our activities in relation to the national committees that have emerged as a result of the recommendations of the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community. Together we organised a days training for all the representatives of Traveller interests on these national committees.

Staff of the Irish Traveller Movement were represented on advisory committees for Pavee Point, Cultural and Heritage Project and their Traveller Economy Programme. As part of the Traveller Economy Programme, the Irish Traveller Movement made a contribution to the publication 'Bridges to the Future - A report on future roles for the Senior Traveller Training Centres'. Inputs were also made at the conference to launch the report. The Irish Traveller Movement is represented on the Traveller MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service) run by Exchange House.

There have been regular meetings between the Irish Traveller Movement and Traveller Movement (Northern Ireland). Through these meetings joint work was undertaken on the issue of nomadism and a seminar was jointly organised on this theme. Also during 1999 staff of the Irish Traveller Movement attended two meetings in London to support the establishment of the Irish Traveller Movement (UK).

Citizen Traveller

The public information and awareness raising campaign run under the title 'Citizen Traveller' was a major new initiative begun in 1999. This campaign is led by the Irish Traveller Movement, The National Traveller Women's Forum, Pavee Point and the Parish of the Travelling Community. A Communications Director has been employed to manage and co-ordinate the campaign. The first half of 1999 was spent putting in place the elements and programme for the campaign. The campaign was launched in November and a series of radio advertisements accompanied the launch. Overall there has been a positive response to the campaign and it is succeeding to reach audiences which our more direct lobbying, information and policy work has not being able to reach.

Monitoring Progress

The range of activities outlined above represents a significant advance in the attention paid to issues effecting Travellers and to the capacity of Traveller organisations to engage effectively in a wide range of areas. The impetus for this approach comes from the recommendations contained in the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community 1995. A Monitoring Committee has been established in the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report. This Monitoring Committee comprises representatives from the relevant Government Departments and from national Traveller organisations. The committee is now working on its first progress report on the implementation of the recommendations. This progress report is expected to be published in the first half of 2000. The report will be helpful in noting the progress made, but more importantly it should note the major gaps in progress and give impetus to addressing these gaps.

3.6 ANTI-POVERTY WORK

The Irish Traveller Movement continues to make a contribution in the broader fight against poverty and exclusion in Irish society in solidarity with organisations with similar aims.

Community Workers Cooperative

The Irish Traveller Movement actively participates in the work of the Community Workers Cooperative (CWC). The particular areas of work pursued by the CWC which is of concern to the Irish Traveller Movement includes their work on, local government reform and the contribution local government can play in the fight against poverty, the monitoring of structural funds spending and the National Development Plan, and the role of community and local development.

European Anti-Poverty Network

The European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) provides an important bridge between community and voluntary sector organisations involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion in Ireland and similar organisations in European Union countries. EAPN has made an important contribution into the European Employment Guidelines process, into the reform of Structural Funds regulations, and has led the campaign to put social inclusion at the centre of European Union policy concerns. The coordinator of the Irish Traveller Movement is the current European president of EAPN.

National Networks

The Irish Traveller Movement is funded under a programme for National Anti-Poverty Networks. There are seven Networks funded under this programme. The Networks concerned meet on a regular basis and work jointly on issues of common concern. The key areas that were focussed on in the last year were the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and the future White Paper on the Relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector. In addition the Networks organised the Share the Wealth campaign. This campaign drew attention to poverty and social exclusion issues prior to Budget 1999 and in advance of the opening of the talks on a new national agreement. In 1999 the coordinator of the Irish Traveller Movement was appointed to the Board of the Combat Poverty Agency. This government agency has responsibility for advising the Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs on issues of poverty and exclusion and the coordinator will be in a position to draw on the work of the networks in his role on the Board.

3.7 EQUALITY WORK

The Irish Traveller Movement believes in creating solidarity across all the groups experiencing discrimination in Ireland. The new equality framework including legislation and institutions provides the hope of protection against discrimination.

Platform Against Racism

The Platform Against Racism brings together organisations involved in anti-racism work. The platform is a coordinating mechanism that allows for sharing of information on the work of the organisations and to look at the broader policy developments in relation to the fight against racism. The Platform also provides a mechanism for linking into the work of the European Network Against Racism, and to the Monitoring Centre on Racism in Vienna.

National Coordinating Committee on Racism and Interculturalism

The National Coordinating committee on Racism and Interculturalism brings together representatives of anti-racism organisations, relevant government departments, trade unions and employers. The Irish Traveller Movement is represented on the committee. The committee provides advice to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to issues of racism and interculturalism. The committee also plays a role in raising awareness on these issues. Lately the committee has taken up a role in supporting the development and capacity building of community organisations representing the interests of those experiencing racism.

Equality Authority

The Equality Authority was established in 1999. The Authority is charged with responsibility for ensuring the implementation of the Employment Equality Legislation and will have responsibility for the Equal Status Legislation once it is in place. The Equality Worker of the Irish Traveller Movement is on the board of the Authority.

3.8 NATIONAL AGREEMENTS

The work on the National Agreements has provided an opportunity to bring together the poverty and equality work of the Irish Traveller Movement.

Community Platform

The Community Platform is the mechanism by which the Irish Traveller Movement participates in the National Agreements. It also provides a link to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). There are presently twenty-two organisations participating in the Platform. Much of the work of the Platform in 1999 was concerned with monitoring the commitments made under the Partnership 2000 agreement. The commitments made on Traveller issues in relation to equality legislation, the visiting teacher service for Travellers, the Advisory Committee on Traveller Education, and the new Traveller accommodation act was substantially progressed. The latter part of the year was spent preparing for the potential new agreement and engaged in the discussions on that agreement. At the time of writing this report it looks as if the new agreement called 'Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness' will be accepted. The new agreement makes some important commitments relevant to Travellers in areas such as, data collection, enterprise, education, health and accommodation.

The National Economic and Social Forum

The National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) was inactive for most of 1999. Currently the NESF is working on a report on social housing, it will be important that the concerns of Travellers in relation to Traveller accommodation will be addressed by this report.

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Annual General Meeting

The 1999 Annual General Meeting took place in Dublin on the 5th and 6th of March 1999. Over 120 delegates took part in the AGM. The AGM provide an important opportunity to reflect on the work of the Irish Traveller Movement and to set the direction for the work of the Irish Traveller Movement in 1999.

The Annual General Meeting elected the following members unto the Central Group for the year: Catherine Mannion, James O Brien, Christy McDonagh, Rosaleen McDonagh, Bernard Joyce, Maureen Ward, Kathleen Stokes, Rachel Doyle and Eimear Berry. The Central Group met five times over the last year and has overall responsibility for ensuring that the decision's made at the annual general meeting are implemented, and that the activities are coordinated. This work is progressed by working groups whose activities are reported on elsewhere in this report. The Central Group is also responsible for the staff and the finances of the Irish Traveller Movement. The Central Group elected Maureen Ward and Kathleen Stokes as co-Chairpersons of the Irish Traveller Movement, Bernard Joyce and James O Brien as co-Treasurers, and Rachel Doyle and Eimear Berry as co-Secretaries.

Staff

Throughout 1999 the Irish Traveller Movement has continued to employ four staff. Fintan Farrell is employed as the Coordinator, David Joyce is employed as the Accommodation Officer, Thomas McCann is employed as the Development Officer (for periods of the year for personal reasons Thomas was employed on a three-day a week basis). As indicated elsewhere in this report Thomas’s position is now as Equality Worker given the major developments in this area. The development work will be divided between all the members of the staff. Davorka Naletilic is employed three days a week as administrator. Dominic Callaghan made a significant contribution to our work as a student on placement for three months.

Information Work

The Annual Report for 1998 was printed and two hundred copies were distributed to our full members, to our funders, to Government Departments and relevant statutory agencies. During 1999 one newsletter of the Irish Traveller Movement was produced and 400 copies of the newsletter were disseminated. Two issues of the Irish Traveller Movement Update were written and distributed to all of our members.

Funding

Securing adequate core funding remains a challenge for the Irish Traveller Movement. Commitments made in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness will address this issue in the coming year. To meet the total costs for 1999 additional supports are sought from a charity source. The Irish Traveller Movement would like to acknowledge the continued financial support of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Department of Environment and Local Government and the Joseph Rowntree Trust.

Office Space

We now have an office space and a meeting room. This has improved the working environment, provided space for Irish Traveller Movement working groups to meet and the room has also been available for meetings of other community and voluntary sector organisations. The accessibility of the office to people who use wheelchairs continued to be a problem during 1999. A lift has now been delivered which we hope will make the office more accessible.

5. DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME 2000

Travellers and Accommodation:

Objectives:

To highlight the accommodation situation of Travellers.
To enhance the work of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.
To enable Travellers and Traveller organisations to engage effectively in the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees.

Actions:

To hold at least four meetings in different parts of the country of the Irish Traveller Movement Accommodation Working Group.
To arrange at least one meeting for accommodation workers employed in local Traveller organisations.
To arrange support meetings three times a year, and in three geographical locations, for Travellers and representatives of Travellers on the local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees.
To engage actively in the work of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee
To produce materials which will assist with our accommodation work.

Travellers and Education

Objective:

To increase the participation of Traveller students and parents in discussions about the educational needs of Travellers.
To enhance the work of the National Advisory Committee on Traveller Education.

Actions:

To seek funds for an Education Worker to enhance the education work of the Irish Traveller Movement.
To seek to increase the participation in the Education Working Group and to hold at least four meetings of the Group.
To arrange three regional workshops on Traveller education involving Travellers and representatives of Traveller organisations.
To produce relevant materials on Traveller Education.
To input into the work of the National Advisory Committee on Traveller Education.

Travellers and Equality

Objective:

To ensure that Travellers are aware of the workings of the new Equality Legislation and the new Equality Institutions.

Actions:

To hold at least four meetings of the Anti-Discrimination Working Group.
To hold four meetings at regional level to explore Travellers experience of discrimination and to generate awareness of the workings of the Equality Legislation and institutions.
To produce relevant materials.
To interact with the work of the Equality Authority.

Travellers and Youth

Objective:

To ensure young Travellers are active in the Irish Traveller Movement.
To generate opportunities for exchange among young Travellers.

Actions:

To arrange at least four meetings of the Youth Working Group - Geiste Gotchin Minceir.
To arrange a media training Event for Young Travellers.
To arrange a talent show involving young Travellers.
To engage in the Interim Youth Committee and to follow up and the report that will come from the committee.

Other areas of Traveller Work

Actions:

To link with the work of the Traveller Health Network and the National Advisory Committee on Traveller Health.
To track the implementation of the control of horses legislation and to seek to develop support for a Traveller Horse Project.
To continue to actively engage in the work of the Citizen Traveller campaign
To continue to be actively involved in the work of Monitoring Committee of the Task Force on the Travelling Community.

Networking with Traveller Organisations

Objectives:

To ensure good communication between the work of local Traveller organisations and the national work of the Irish Traveller Movement.
To ensure good cooperation between the national Traveller organisations.

Actions:

To ensure at least one regional meeting for Irish Traveller Movement members takes place in each of the following regions: a) Southern Network b) Western counties C) Midland Area d) East Coast area, and e) Border counties.
To arrange quarterly meetings between representatives of the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women's Forum and Pavee Point and to arrange appropriate joint activities including a seminar on Community Work as an approach tom achieving human rights for Travellers.
To maintain links with Traveller Movement (Northern Ireland) and the Irish Traveller Movement (UK)
To seek to support and participate in events organised by member organisations.
To support the work of the Pavee Point, Traveller Economy, and Cultural Heritage Programmes.
To support the work of the Exchange House Money Advice and Budgeting Service.
To link with the work of the Traveller Projects funded under the Community Development Programme.

Anti Poverty Work

Objective:

To ensure that anti poverty work in Ireland addresses the needs of Travellers and to generate solidarity with other groups who experience poverty and social exclusion.

Actions:

To remain active in the work of the European Anti-Poverty Network and the Community Workers Cooperative.
To engage in collective activity organised by the National Anti Poverty Networks funded through Combat Poverty Agency.
To engage in the follow up to the National Anti Poverty Strategy
To engage in the follow up to the white paper on the relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Equality Work

Objective:

To ensure that Travellers are addressed by equality agenda and to generate solidarity with other communities who experience discrimination.

Actions:

To remain active in the Platform Against Racism
To continue to contribute to the work of the National Advisory Committee on Racism and Iterculturalism
To interact with the work of the Equality Authority.

National Social Partnership

Objective:

To ensure that social inclusion and equality remain a central concern of National Economic and Social Policy

Actions:

To play an active role in the Community Platform
To interact with the monitoring of the implementation of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
To interact with the work of the National Economic and Social Forum.

Organisational Development

Objective:

To ensure that the Irish Traveller Movement continues as an active partnership organisation of Travellers and settled people, which takes unambiguous stances in favour of Travellers, and commands appropriate responses from policy makers, policy implementers and the general public in relation to the situation of Travellers.

Actions:

Ensures that all the structures within the Irish Traveller Movement reflect the Partnership nature of the organisation.
Finds working methods that enhance the capacity of those active in the Irish Traveller Movement.
Make the office accessible to people who use wheelchairs.
Organise a lively and participative Annual General Meeting.
Organise an event to mark the 10th anniversary of the Irish Traveller Movement.
Secure adequate funding to meet the needs of the organisation.
Maintain the existing staff in the Irish Traveller Movement and seek funding to employ an Education Worker and a Policy and Information Worker.
Publish two Newsletters and four Traveller Updates to keep the membership informed of the work undertaken by the organisation.
Support the emergence of new Traveller organisations.

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ITM Annual Report 1999

Contents:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. IRISH TRAVELLER MOVEMENT

3. ACTIVITIES REPORT 1999

3.1 TRAVELLERS AND ACCOMMODATION

3.2 TRAVELLERS AND EDUCATION

3.3 TRAVELLERS AND EQUALITY

3.4 TRAVELLERS AND YOUTH

3.5 OTHER AREAS OF TRAVELLER WORK

3.6 ANTI-POVERTY WORK

3.7 EQUALITY WORK

3.8 NATIONAL AGREEMENTS

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

5. DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME 2000