Traveller Health

Introduction to Traveller Health

For many years and for a variety of reasons, the Traveller population has experienced a level of health, which compares poorly with the general population, for example, life expectancy among Travellers is lower than that of the population in general. This has implications for a strategic approach to the planning and delivery of an equitable health service in accordance with national policy. Traveller Health - A National Strategy 2002-2005, which was launched in 2002 explored these implications and provided a clear statement of policy which focused on the underlying problems associated with the poor health status of Travellers and sets out a clear and practical plan for specific improvements in that status. The Strategy is available on the Department's website here

Travellers have a right to appropriate access to healthcare services, which takes into account their particular needs, culture and way of life. The involvement of Travellers themselves in the delivery of health services is considered crucial in bridging the gap between the Traveller Community and access to health services. This has been achieved to some extent through the involvement of Travellers and Traveller organisations on the Department's Traveller Health Advisory Committee and in the HSE'sTraveller Health Units and Primary Health Care for Travellers Projects. It will be further developed through the implementation of the actions proposed in the Strategy itself. The effectiveness of the Strategy will be determined by the commitment of health service staff, administrators, Travellers and Traveller organisations to work together to change knowledge and attitudes among the settled community and among the Traveller community itself in relation to health issues.

Institutional mechanisms

Social Inclusion Unit, Department of Health and Children

The Social Inclusion Unit in the Department of Health and Children supports the Traveller Health Advisory Committee, and oversees the deployment of Traveller Health Strategy.

Traveller Health Units

Traveller Health Units have been set up in each HSE region. The brief of the Traveller Health Unit includes monitoring the delivery of health services to Travellers and setting regional targets against which performance can be measured. It also ensures that Traveller health is given prominence on the agenda of the HSE and it supports the development of Traveller specific initiatives either directly by the HSE, or indirectly through funding appropriate voluntary organisations.

The terms of reference of the Traveller Health Units are:

Traveller Health Advisory Committee

In response to a recommendation in the Task Force Report on the Traveller Community, the Traveller Health Advisory Committee (THAC) was established in 1998 and consists of Department staff, HSE staff and representatives from Traveller organisations. The Committee advises the Minister for Health and Children on the formulation of Traveller health policy. The work of the Committee was crucial to the formulation of the National Traveller Health Strategy. The Committee's brief includes ensuring that Traveller health is a priority area within the Department of Health and Children and liaising with Traveller Health Units in the HSE's in the formulation of national policy.

All-Ireland Traveller Health Study – “Our Geels”

“Traveller Health - A National Strategy 2002-2005” includes a commitment to ‘carry out a Traveller Needs Assessment and Health Status Study to update and extend the indicators used in the last survey of Travellers’ Health Status and to inform appropriate actions required in the area of Travellers’ Health’.

In July of 2007 the All-Ireland Study of Travellers Health Status and Health Needs involving all Travellers living on the island, North and South, was launched. The Department of Health and Children, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) in Northern Ireland and the Health Service Executive are funding the Study.

The purpose of the Study is to examine the health status of Travellers, to assess the impact of the health services currently being provided and to identify the factors which influence mortality and health status. The Study will take between 2½ and 3 years to complete. It will provide a framework for policy development and practice in relation to Travellers.

Technical Steering Group

A Technical Steering Group has been established to ensure the performance of the contract and to monitor and support the research.

Membership of the Technical Steering Group

Dr Philip Crowley (Chair), Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Children.
Ms Heather Robinson, Equality, Human Rights and Public Safety Branch, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI).
Ms Mary Scarlett, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI).
Ms Olive McGovern, Social Inclusion Unit, Department of Health and Children.
Ms Leonie O’Neill, Health Service Executive.
Ms Ronnie Fay, Pavee Point.
Ms Rosaleen McDonagh, Irish Traveller Movement.
Dr Evelyn Mahon, Trinity College.

UCD Project Team

The UCD Project Team is lead by Prof. Cecily Kelleher, Head, UCD School of Public Health and Population Science.

Census Day: 14th October 2008

The fieldwork for the Study began on 14th October 2008 and will be completed by the end of November.

Further information on the Study can be accessed via the Study website here

Link to Press Release on the occasion of the launch of the Study by Minister Mary Harney on 10 July 2007 here

Link to the text of the UCD Press Release Issued 13 October 2008 here