Funding has been allocated for a project to support Traveller women at risk of homelessness in the Galway and western region.
Three regions in Ireland have been successful in securing funding to develop healthcare services for Traveller women who are experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness.
This follows on from the announcement of a €500,000 fund for this purpose by Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton back in March.
In CHO2: Galway, Mayo, Roscommon two members of the Traveller community will be employed as project workers to establish a homeless support service.
This service for Traveller women will work in concert with the primary healthcare projects for Travellers in Tuam and Galway city.
This will include establishing a forum to facilitate partnerships between agencies, establish the health and accommodation needs of Traveller women, and provide support and advocacy services to these specific needs.
“I’m delighted to announce details of the initiatives that will provide a culturally-sensitive approach to improving healthcare services for Traveller women,” Minister Hildegarde Naughton said.
“We know that Traveller women face a higher risk of homelessness than the overall population, and this can negatively impact on their health.”
“The funding being allocated today allows the health service to address this issue, providing a range of tailored, culturally-appropriate interventions to support Traveller women facing homelessness.”
“It builds on the commitments promised in the new Traveller Health Action Plan and will form part of the development of a national model to support Traveller women.”
The other successful projects in this scheme will be located in CHO 1: Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan/Monaghan, and CHO 9: Dublin North City and County.
The projects were chosen by a Grants Committee which had representation from the Department of Health, HSE National Office for Social Inclusion, Genio and the Travelling community.
