Published on 

Minister Stanton welcomes additional funding for Equality measures in Budget 2017


· An additional €1m funding to be provided for initiatives targeted at the Traveller community
· Extra €300,000 provided to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
· 20% increase in the grant to the National Women’s Council of Ireland

11 October 2017

The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration Mr. David Stanton TD today welcomed increased funding for measures to support Equality in Budget 2017.

Additional funding of €1m - which brings the total budget to €3.2m for 2017 - has been provided to enhance initiatives targeted at the Traveller community. An extra €300,000 has also been provided to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for 2017.

Speaking today Minister Stanton said, “I am delighted that additional funding has been provided across a number of important programme areas in particular with regard to Travellers. Support for the Traveller community is a key issue for me and this additional funding of €1m, which represents an increase of 45% over 2016, will further enhance services to Traveller community groups. It will help in the further development of services which is very welcome.”

This funding is being put in place alongside the development of a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy for 2016 – 2020. This Strategy is currently in the final phase of its development and will be submitted for consideration and approval by Government by year end.

The Minister further welcomed an increase in funding for the National Women’s Council of Ireland, “The increase in funding for the NWCI of 20% to €480,000 for 2017 is very welcome and further builds on the increased funding provided last year.”

Referring to the extra funding of €300,000 for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Minister Stanton said, “This extra funding will allow the Commission to recruit additional staff to allow it to continue its vital work in promoting and protecting human rights and equality.”