Press release
Minister Stanton announces projects under National Funding to promote Roma Inclusion 2018 - 2020
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Published on
Last updated on
Mr David Stanton TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, today announced projects that will receive funding totalling €210,000 under National Funding to Promote Roma Inclusion. Six organisations nationwide will receive grants of up to €50,000 each for activities to support the inclusion of Roma within Irish society. This funding will be available to the successful groups for each of the three years 2018-2020.
On 18 January, Roma In Ireland – a National Needs Assessment, was launched in the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. The Roma Needs Assessment identifies a range of steps that need to be taken across a number of areas to achieve outcomes for Roma that are equal to those of the general population. The provision of this funding is a new initiative, funded by the Department of Justice and Equality to address some of the areas of concern highlighted in the report.
Announcing the funding of the six projects, the Minister said:
"I firmly believe that actions at local level are key to ensuring that the Roma community are included, can contribute to and play a full role in Irish society. I am very pleased that we are able to support these projects and I look forward to seeing positive outcomes."
ENDS
The call for proposals under the National Funding to Promote Roma Inclusion 2018-2020 issued in June 2017. A total fund of €200,000 was made available in 2017 for small scale community based projects to promote the inclusion of the Roma community in Ireland.
20 applications were received and assessed by the Equality Division of the department against specified criteria. On the basis of that assessment, 6 projects were selected for funding totalling €210,000.
Clare Local Development Company: Proposal to provide English language and literacy classes, cultural workshops, and community education programmes.
Donegal Travellers Project: The provision of a dedicated Community Development worker to work with the Roma community in Co Donegal.
Free Legal Advice Centres: The provision of free Legal Advice and Advocacy Clinics for the Roma community.
Ferns Diocesan Youth Services: The provision of a dedicated Community Development worker to work with the Roma community in Co Wexford.
Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre: The provision of Roma project workers to promote the inclusion of Roma in mainstream communities in the Dublin area by increasing their access to services and supports.
Daughters of Charity Community Services: The provision of supports to the Roma community in Dublin 7 by establishing a parent/toddler group for Roma parents.