PRESS RELEASE: TIME FOR ACTION ON TRAVELLER AND ROMA EQUALITY

Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre Press Statement July 24th, 2014   TIME FOR ACTION ON TRAVELLER AND ROMA EQUALITY   Pavee Point today welcomes the UN call for Ireland to take concrete steps to recognise Traveller ethnicity. Speaking today, Director Martin Collins stated “This follows similar recommendations in the past by human rights bodies […]

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Travellers Unrecognised Again at ICCPR Hearings

On July 14th and 15th, Pavee Point attended in Geneva for Ireland’s hearings before the 111th Session of the Human Rights Committee. Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald TD was in attendance with officials from Government departments to answer questions and make statements during the hearings. Pavee Point and other Traveller organisations have been advocating the […]

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PRESS STATEMENT: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre Press Statement July 1st 2014 Actions Speak Louder than Words: Government must plan and support Roma inclusion in Ireland   Pavee Point today welcomes the publication of the independent Special Inquiry by the Ombudsman for Children into the removal of two Roma children from their families in October 2013 and […]

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NWCI Promoting Ethnic Identifier in Maternal Health Services

Pavee Point’s motion on the use of an ethnic identifier in maternal health services was passed by members of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) at the recent annual general meeting. Pavee Point is a member of the NWCI, committed to the promotion of women’s rights in Ireland. The motion highlights how Traveller and […]

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Further Cutbacks to Vital Sexual Violence Services

One in five women have experienced sexual assault during their adulthood. Last month, the Mid-West Rape Crisis centre was forced to temporarily close its doors due to further funding cuts. This is regardless of a record level of demand for the service over the past years. Pavee Point is concerned about the continuous funding cuts […]

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Traveller Men’s Health Initiative

Pavee Point, along with the other nine Primary Health Care Projects in the Eastern Region Traveller Health Network (ERTHN)  held a Traveller Men’s Health Day in Phoenix Park to mark Men’s Health Week (9th to 15th June ’14). The day was organised to attract Traveller men for health check-ups and to create awareness among Traveller […]

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LGBTQ Traveller and Roma Poster

Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, partnering with LGBT Pavee and BeLonG To Youth Services launched the first LGBTQ Traveller and Roma poster at the Office of the Ombudsman for Children on June 16th. The event was part of both Traveller Pride celebrations and Dublin Pride, which runs to the end of June. This project […]

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Submission on Universal Health Insurance

Pavee Point has submitted to the Department of Health on the topic of Universal Health Insurance, issuing a number of recommendations about Universal Health Insurance, equality of access to healthcare, equality proofing and the delivery of culturally appropriate health services. “Those with greater heath needs and poorer health status will be disproportionately affected by issues […]

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Ethnic Identifier in Primary Education

The Department of Education and Skills is introducing an ethnic identifier at primary level. This means that in the coming months parents will receive a form from their children’s primary school that will ask them to identify what cultural or ethnic background they identify with. Previously only Traveller children were asked to identify. Pavee Point […]

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Rise of the Far Right in European Parliament

With results of local and European elections still coming through, it’s hard to know what outcomes will emerge from the shifts in local politics in Ireland. Pavee Point last week welcomed the resignation of Council candidate Cathal O Reilly, following revelations about anti Travellers comments made by him on Facebook. However, we are disappointed that Fine Gael have […]

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Press Release: Sinn Fein Resignation

Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre Press Statement May 22nd , 2014   Sinn Fein Resignation for anti Traveller comment is  ‘Action instead of an empty promise’   Pavee Point today welcomes the resignation of Clare County Council election candidate Cathal O Reilly from the Sinn Fein party following his admission that he had made anti-Traveller […]

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Report from Children’s Ombudsman

The Children’s Ombudsman was asked to compile a report on the removal of two Roma children from their families last October. While this report has not yet been released to the public, details of it have emerged in the Sunday Times, published May 11th. Further coverage has emerged from The Irish Times today, as well […]

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Realising Roma Children’s Rights

Realising Roma Children’s Rights Conference Pavee Point hosted the conference “Realising Roma Children’s Rights” on 10 April to mark International Traveller and Roma Day.  The conference was addressed by Minister Fitzgerald, Emily Logan, Professor Jacqueline Bhabha from Harvard University and Iulius Rostas from Corvinus University.  The conference highlighted serious child welfare issues facing Roma children […]

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Joint Oireachtas Committee Report on Traveller Ethnicity

Today, April 17th, the Joint Oirechtas Committee on Justice presented their Report on Traveller Ethnicity, which recommends the recognition of Travellers by the Taoiseach or Minister for Justice and Equality by way of a statement in Dáil Éireann. The Report also calls for the Government to notify international bodies about the recognition, and finally suggests […]

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Ethnic Data: A Tool to Combat Discrimination

On March 26th, Pavee Point and the Department of Applied Social Studies at the National University of Ireland Maynooth hosted a seminar on Ethnic Data supported by the Department of Justice and Equality. The seminar focused on the use of ethnic data to combat discrimination and featured speaker Patrick Simon, author of the Council of […]

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Powerlifting Champion: Anthony McDonagh

How many readers familiar with the sport of powerlifting in the Republic of Ireland know the name of Anthony McDonagh, a Galway Traveller who won nine All-Ireland Powerlifting championships in the heavyweight division, two European championships and one World championship?  For those unfamiliar with the sport, powerlifting consists of the squat, deadlift and bench press […]

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Oireachtas Committee on Domestic and Sexual Violence

Pavee Point attended a meeting with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on 26 February to discuss the shortcomings of Irish legislation in protecting vulnerable Roma and Traveller women from domestic and sexual violence. The presentation highlighted how the persistent marginalisation of Traveller and Roma women makes women vulnerable to abuse and […]

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Travellers recorded on the PULSE database

The Sunday Times on March 20th featured an article by journalist Gemma O Doherty about the recording of Traveller children on the Garda PULSE database. The article highlighted the story of Traveller woman Caroline Dunne who reported to a Garda station to have passport forms signed in respect of her one and two year old […]

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Media now allowed in Family Court

With changes made to the ‘in camera rule’ in January 2014, the media can now report on proceedings in family law and childcare court. This includes reporting of domestic violence cases.   Under strict conditions, the media is prohibited to report any information, which is likely to identify the persons or child to whom the […]

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Killarney Court upholds Traveller discrimination case

Killarney District Court last week awarded two Traveller women €1000 each on foot of being refused entry into McSorley’s nightclub, which was hosting a mental health charity event. The women arrived to the nightclub and were told by the doorman that there was no event on, but other people could be seen entering with tickets. […]

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