The PP of the Parish of the Travelling People in Dublin has lent his
voice to criticism of the Government’s “unacceptable performance" on
issues affecting Traveller children. Referring to the effects of Budget cuts to educational resources which supported Traveller children, Fr Derek Farrell said that “the bottom line is taking precedence over the effects on the community”, which is “a short sighted approach”.
Speaking in reaction to a ‘report card’ issued by The Children’s Rights Alliance which awarded the Government an ‘E’ grade for its “unacceptable performance” on the issues affecting Traveller children, Fr Farrell said “the report card reinforces the view that the effects of cuts - the human and social costs - are very often not factored into policy.
“For example there had been progress made in regards to education in recent years and we feel that taking away visiting teachers is a regressive step."
The Children’s Rights Alliance’s Report Card notes that outcomes for Traveller children remain “almost universally worse” than their settled peers, particularly in the areas of health and education.
Reacting to the report Martin Collins of Pavee Point said: “It is truly shocking that in this day and age Traveller children continue to face these levels of inequality. The disproportionate cuts to Traveller education will only serve to reinforce and condemn another generation of young Travellers to exclusion and marginalisation. We are calling on the Government to urgently outline what steps it will take to support and protect the rights of Traveller children rather than furthering inequalities. The Government must ensure that every child can enjoy all their rights equally.”
The Department of Social Protection is at the bottom of the Report Card, receiving an F grade, or fail, for child poverty.
The report says harsh measures in Budget 2013 hit the poorest families hardest and this grade reflects its devastating impact on children.