Employment and Training

Working to address the under-representation of the Traveller and Roma communities in employment settings, both public and private.

Facts

The All-Ireland Traveller Health Study (2010) found that 84% of Travellers were unemployed at the time of the study.
Donegal Travellers Project provides employment information, advice and support to members of the Traveller and Roma communities.
Donegal Travellers Project continues to be the main employer of Travellers in County Donegal.
Accessing mainstream employment has been an ongoing challenge for the Traveller and Roma communities. Many Travellers and Roma leave school early and very few access third-level education. This low level of educational attainment, combined with everyday racism and discrimination, makes it particularly difficult to access employment.
The 2017 report Who Experiences Discrimination in Ireland?, prepared for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission by the Economic and Social Research Institute, found that Travellers experience much higher levels of discrimination in the workplace and are almost ten times more likely than the general population to experience discrimination when seeking work.
The 2018 National Roma Needs Assessment (Pavee Point) found that Roma face high levels of discrimination in public spaces, accommodation and employment. Difficulties meeting the Habitual Residence Condition often prevent access to social welfare supports, forcing some families into poverty and overcrowded living conditions.

Ongoing Work

Providing information, advice and support in accessing employment and employment services.
DTP delivers a training and employment skills programme jointly with Donegal Local Development CLG, working with a jobs coach.
Recent training and skills programmes have included taster courses that can lead to further qualifications, such as introductory blacksmithing, men’s food and nutrition, and barista training.
Successful training initiatives have taken place in areas including HGV and bus driving, Safe Pass, chainsaw handling, and HACCP food handling.
DTP is developing relationships with Intreo, SICAP (Local Development Companies) and Local Enterprise Offices to improve access to supports, training and opportunities, including social enterprise and the Traveller economy, in partnership with the SIT Employment Project in Donegal.
DTP provides information and support on existing local employment and training services.
DTP works with local enterprise offices and other organisations to improve access to relevant training and opportunities.
DTP continues to promote access to community employment and other employment programmes, both within the organisation and externally, for members of the Traveller and Roma communities.
We support access to professional development opportunities for members of the Traveller and Roma communities employed by Donegal Travellers Project.
As a peer-led organisation, DTP’s Primary Health Care programme employs a growing team of Traveller community health workers delivering a wide range of health supports and services.