Traveller health action plan
Gerry Adams asked about publication of the Traveller health action plan and the urgent mental health crisis faced by Travellers. The Taoiseach acknowledged the issue and said he would raise it with the relevant Ministers and seek a better reply.
Tá ceist agamsa faoi the planning advisory committee for Traveller health and the national Traveller health action plan. On 21 February, the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, endorsed the national Traveller health action plan in a meeting with Pavee Point and promised to publish the Traveller health action plan this month. Given that the suicide rate among Travellers is six times the national average, and that suicide accounts for 11% of Traveller deaths, I am sure the Taoiseach agrees that this constitutes a mental health crisis, which demands an urgent response and positive action. I welcome the Minister's commitment but ask for an update on the status of the planning advisory body on Traveller health and the national Traveller health action plan.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy and I acknowledge his long-standing interest in issues affecting the Traveller community ranging from housing to healthcare. I do not have an update on that to hand but I will mention the Deputy's raising of the issue to both the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, and will try to get the Deputy a better reply.