452. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if she will reinstate the Traveller Health Advisory Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23112/26]

453. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if she will consider appointing a Department lead on Traveller health and mental health to monitor and progress actions across Departments and initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23114/26]

454. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health to publish and implement the National Traveller Health Action Plan; to establish an institutional mechanism with the HSE and the Department of Health to drive its delivery and implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23115/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452, 453 and 454 together.

The policy instrument for improving Traveller health outcomes is the national Traveller health action plan, published jointly by the Department and the HSE in 2022. The action plan was developed in consultation with Traveller organisations and is delivered in partnership with Travellers. The HSE leads on the implementation of the action plan, overseen by a national monitoring group, the National Traveller Health Implementation Group (NTHIG), with representation from the Department and Traveller organisations.

The HSE has recently published a mid-term review of the action plan, to inform the remaining two years of the plan. The review found that the action plan provides clear direction and momentum for improving Traveller health. However, regional implementation of the plan has been uneven. Looking forward, the establishment of the new HSE regional structures provides an opportunity to re-invigorate the action plan. Another key message is to focus on achievable, prioritised goals, that can realistically be delivered and do not overstretch limited resources.

The HSE recently published a review of the 31 primary healthcare projects that employ Traveller healthcare workers. The report makes five recommendations, which have been accepted by all stakeholders. The HSE has commenced work to implement the recommendations in 2026. This will require additional resources, along with better monitoring and standardised work practices. The Dept of Health is committed to working with the HSE and Traveller organisations to achieve these outcomes, so that the projects can be strengthened to delivery on their vital role.

The development of a Traveller mental health action plan has been significantly advanced by the establishment of a Traveller mental health specialist group, under Sharing the Vision, the national mental health policy. Additional resources were provided for Traveller mental health in 2025 and 2026. The Department is developing a new national suicide prevention policy this year, which is likely to herald further actions focused on Travellers.

The Department provides the HSE with a ring-fenced budget of €16 million for the provision of Traveller-specific health services, including €2.3m for mental health. Further resources of €1m are provided in Budget 2026. In all, this represents an increase of 70% in funding since the action plan commenced.

The Department of health’s statement of strategy 2025-2028, identifies measures that improve life expectancy for Travellers as a priority action for public health. The goal is to level up Traveller life expectancy to the national standard. To this end, the Department has developed three public health measures to drive health equity for Travellers, and to complement the Traveller health action plan. They include a programme to address the social determinants of Traveller health, a programme to support the health and social needs of Traveller women at risk of homelessness and a prevention and early intervention initiative on Traveller child health, known as Brighter Beginnings.

The Department actively consults with Travellers on a range of health policy initiatives. There are two policies currently out for public consultation - the draft national drugs strategy and the new Healthy Ireland framework.

As health equity is central to both these policies, I would encourage Traveller organisations to have their say on how they can best meet the additional health needs of Travellers.