EU funding for Roma integration
For the 2014-2020 period, Ireland will be allocated a total of €1 billion from the European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funds. At least 51.7% of this amount will be spent on the ESF with at least 20% of that going towards the promotion of social inclusion and combating poverty. The latter amount could also be used for Roma-related measures.
Contacts
ESF managing authority
Department of Education and Skills, Block 2, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1
List of relevant ERDF managing authorities
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Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly (OP Border, Midland and Western), The Square, Ballaghaderreen, IRL- Co. Roscommon Director
- Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly (OP Southern and Eastern), Assembly House, O'Connell Street, IRL- Co. Waterford.
For more information on Ireland's operational programmes, see ESF OPs and ERDF OPs.
Facts and figures
The Council of Europe estimates that there are approximately 37,500 Roma living in Ireland (0.9% of the population). For more data on the situation on Roma in this country, please see the overview published by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights.
National strategy for Roma integration
Ireland’s national Roma and Travellers' integration strategy is not a strategy as such, but rather an integrated set of policy measures within Ireland’s social inclusion policies. Ireland's strategy aims at eradicating poverty and social exclusion among marginalised Roma and Traveller communities, focusing on education, employment, health and housing.
Key actions include a Traveller accommodation programme run by local authorities that defines annual targets and health services for Travellers.
Assessment of Ireland’s strategy implementation
In 2014 the Commission assessed the implementation of the national Roma integration strategies in the 4 key areas of education, employment, healthcare and housing, as well as in the fight against discrimination and the use of funding.
- The Commission's assessment of Ireland’s national strategy (2014)
- The Commission's assessment of Ireland’s national strategy (2012)
- The European Union and the Roma – factsheet Ireland
National Roma contact point
The contact point for the national Roma integration strategy in Ireland is the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Contact persons: Ms Loretta Barrett - Loretta [dot] Barrett
equality [dot] gov [dot] ie (Loretta[dot]Barrett[at]equality[dot]gov[dot]ie) and AnnMarie Quarry - Annmarie [dot] Quarryequality [dot] gov [dot] ie (Annmarie[dot]Quarry[at]equality[dot]gov[dot]ie)