I recently raised with the Taoiseach the issue of the higher rate of suspected suicide among members of the Travelling community compared to the general population - there is a suspected rate difference of between seven and ten for members of the Travelling community. In recent weeks, the Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community held a number of meetings to engage on the issue of Traveller health with various witnesses. It would appear that despite increased health provision, technology and treatment, the Travelling community is not benefiting at the same rate as the general population or settled community.

The data is quite shocking. Traveller mortality rates are three times higher than the settled population. Average life expectancy for men who are members of the Travelling community is 15 years below the settled community and for women it is ten years below. Lastly, the Irish Traveller Movement advised us of data in the all-island Traveller health study suggested that half of travellers die before the age of 39, a startling statistic to hear. Senator Joe O'Reilly described it as an indictment on Irish society. There is a national Traveller health action plan that runs to 2027. I ask that the Taoiseach include the implementation of that strategy as a recurring agenda item for the Cabinet subcommittee on health.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Notwithstanding the fact that we have seen a reduction in suicide numbers between 2001 and 2025 by 28%, we have not seen the same reduction in suicide numbers in the Travelling community. Where once we ranked one of the worst in Europe, we now sit at about 12th. We will have a new strategy in place very soon - the connecting for life strategy. There were over 1,900 referrals into that strategy, which was really important. The Deputy is correct. Our suicide numbers are currently 9.2 for every 100,000. Unfortunately, in Northern Ireland and across the UK, the figure is 14 per 100,000. We have made progress but not enough when it comes to the Travelling community.

I recently visited Exchange House in Dublin. As the Deputy knows, I put in place free counselling support for men from 1 September. Exchange House partnered with me and I was able to provide it with €100,000 to provide a 24-7 counselling line for Travellers. I continue to engage with the service. I can speak to the Deputy offline about what else he suggested.

I will undertake to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee.