Co. Wexford has a significant Traveller population, with an estimated 704 Traveller families residing in the county (Wexford County Council, November 25th 2016). This is the fifth highest Traveller population in Ireland and the highest in the South East. Census 2016 recorded 1,508 Irish Travellers living in Co. Wexford, a very slight increase on the 2011 Census figure (+7).
Wexford Local Development works in partnership with the Travelling Community and other partners, to improve the quality of life for the community.
Our main areas of Traveller Community supports include:
Traveller Community Health & Education Programme
Our Traveller Community Health & Programme delivers health promotion actions directly into local communities.
We deliver two Traveller Community Health Programmes in partnership with the Health Service Executive (South East Traveller Health Unit, CHO 5), one covering North Wexford, the other covering the south of the county. Both programmes support the active participation of Traveller families in all areas of health development. The Traveller Community Health Workers are an integral part of WLD’s Community Development Team.
Traveller & Roma Primary Health & Social Care Programme
We aim to provide Roma and Traveller individual participants in Co. Wexford with a unique opportunity to progress onto further QQI Level training and/or employment opportunities in the area of health and social care through a pilot intensive support programme
Traveller Youth Development Project
Traveller specific youth groups & homework support groups in Taghmon, Clonroche, Enniscorthy and New Ross. Also out-of-school activities. Groups led by local Traveller consultation and co-ordinated by a designated WLD Project Officer
Traveller Participation
Specific supports to the wider Travelling Community to promote equality, anti-discrimination measures and mainstreaming of equality work as well as supports for Travellers to have their voice heard, to participate in networks and decision making structures, locally, regionally & nationally
Education, Enterprise & Employment Supports
The core purpose of Wexford Local Development focuses on addressing inequality and we have extensive experience in supporting those who experience additional barriers, including members of the Travelling community. We offer intensive supports to individual Travellers who wish to access employment, enterprise and education supports
For further information on what we offer in your local area please contact: