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.

Sentiment score: -0.16