Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance Robert Troy T.D. today launched National Traveller MABS latest research report ‘Irish Travellers and Pensions 2025’.
The report highlights the significant disparities in pension preparedness and retirement planning between Irish Travellers and the broader settled population and underscores critical vulnerabilities and calls for urgent action to improve financial security within the Traveller community.
Launching the report Minister of State with Responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance, Robert Troy TD, said:
“This report from National Traveller MABS is very welcome, and lays out not only key data in terms of challenges when it comes to pensions for Irish Travellers but also insight drawing from Traveller experiences and cultural attitudes on the topic. The work of National Traveller MABS is to be commended in this regard, particularly the ‘Traveller Voices’ section of this report.
Financial empowerment must be inclusive across all sections of our society, and the ongoing work of my Department’s first National Financial Literacy Strategy has cooperation, coordination and cohesion at its heart to achieve that goal. National Traveller MABS’ work with this report, as well initiatives like their ‘A Way of Life’ programme, support this Strategy and their ongoing work in terms of education and awareness is vital.”
Nancy Power, Coordinator of National Traveller MABS said, ‘This report highlights the need to support Travellers in learning about and accessing pensions. While we hope that the new auto enrolment pension scheme will go a long way toward addressing the pension gap there will still be a large cohort who will not benefit, and we also need to educate Traveller so that they understand what the scheme is and how it will benefit them.’
This research not only highlights pressing issues for Travellers but offers insights relevant to other marginalised and economically vulnerable communities.
Published: 11 Jun 2025
