Question
142. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the consultation process on the national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy has concluded; if she has submitted the draft strategy to Government; and the date on which the new strategy will be published. [36143/16]
Answer
Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): I can confirm that the public consultation component of the process to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to improve the situation for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland has been completed. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high level objectives under each agreed theme) of that consultation process have been completed. The consultation process of the final phase, Phase 3 (identification of detailed actions to achieve each agreed objective, with associated time-scales, key performance indicators, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements), has now been completed. I am due to meet with the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy Steering Group in the coming weeks with a view to finalising the new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy shortly.