Traveller And Roma Employment Support Office To Open In Wexford

A new office to help Travellers and Roma people get a job will be set up in County Wexford.

It's part of a major expansion of the Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative Pilot Scheme announced by the Minister for Equality Norma Foley.

According to Census 2022, the unemployment rate for Travellers was 61 per cent, while the rate for members of the Roma community was 17 per cent.

Wexford Local Development has been successful in its application to run the office here while further hubs will be established in 7 other counties.

Minister Foley says they are doubling the number of offices to help members of these communities to "develop skills, access opportunities and secure sustainable employment."

Other offices will open in Waterford, Offaly and Longford with two offices in Limerick and Dublin.

The Department for Equality says "the selection of locations was informed by a set of award criteria and the size and needs of Traveller and Roma populations in the areas concerned."

The Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative currently supports approximately 300 people each year with plans to reach even more following this expansion of services nationwide.

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.