The Disabled Travellers Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Minority Groups Who are Travellers? The name "Travellers" refers to a nomadic Irish ethnic group.  They have a long shared history, value system, language and customs and traditions which make them a group which is distinct from the rest of the Irish population, although they are as fully Irish as the majority population. Their lifestyle sets them apart from the sedentary population or "settled people". What does "Pavee" mean? Pavee is a word used by Travellers to describe themselves. How many Travellers live in Ireland today? There are estimates of around 30,000 Travellers living in the Republic of Ireland, with about 1500 more living in Northern Ireland. Age Structure: The median age of the Traveller community is 14 years while the national figure is 27 years. Only 4.4% of Travellers are over the age of 55.  80% of Travellers are under 25. Where do Travellers come from? Travellers are native to Ireland; they have been part of Irish society for centuries. While Traveller history is largely unrecorded, research dates their origins to before the twelfth century. What kind of occupations do Travellers have today? Traveller occupations in the past included tinsmithing, seasonal farm labour, door-to-door sales and recycling.  While many of these occupations have become more difficult, or even obsolete, many Travellers are employed today in a variety of economic activities, including market trading, scrap collecting, and antiques dealing. A small number of Travellers are have their own business, such as shops and garages.  Other Travellers are employed in community enterprises established by Traveller groups, or with voluntary organisations, and training centres.  However, many Traveller families have become deskilled and are dependent on social welfare for survival. Do Travellers face discrimination? Yes, Racism against Travellers is a problem. With the introduction of the Equal Status Act discriminatory practices such as these should change. Under the Act, Travellers can bring a case against a person, group or institution that discriminates against them on the grounds of their being a member of the Travelling Community. For more information on the Act and what it means to you contact the following: Equality Authority Clonmel St, Dublin 2. Phone: (01) 4173333 Lo-call: 1890 245545 www.equality.ie List of Traveller Support Groups. Pavee Point 46 North Great Charles St Dublin 1 Phone: (01) 8780255 www.www.iol.ie/^pavee Irish Traveller Movement 4/5 Eustace St Dublin 2 Phone: (01) 6796577 www.itmtrav.com Galway Traveller Support Group 78 Prospect Hill, Galway Phone: (091) 562530 National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) 26 Harcourt Street Dublin 2 Phone: (01) 4785777 Website