News
Our New Report
"A Small Scale Study into the cost of Mobile Homes/Trailers for the Purpose of Social Housing for Travellers" is now available for you to read please click here
Our Newsletters
Our latest editions of National Traveller MABS Newsletter and The Tharie Times 2017 is now available for you to read both issues are bursting with news and information. Last year, 2017, has seen many changes for us with two colleagues leaving the service and two new members of staff joining us.
Bus Éireann Apprentice Programme 2018.
Bus Éireann, the national bus and coach company and Dublin Bus, which operates bus services in the greater Dublin Area are now seeking to recruit Traveller apprentice heavy vehicle mechanics in the following locations: Dublin Cork Waterford Rosslare Stranorlar Ballina Limerick Thurles Tralee Galway Athlone Longford.
Read more: Bus Éireann Apprentice Programme 2018.Irish Traveller Ethnicity Celebration 15th March 2018
To mark the State’s recognition of Traveller Ethnicity on March the 15th 2018, the Traveller community is coming together to put on a day long celebratory event in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
Read more: Irish Traveller Ethnicity Celebration 15th March 2018Irish Travellers and the Census 2016
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) today (Thursday 12th October) publishes Census 2016 Profile 8 Irish Travellers, Ethnicity and Religion. The report shows that the number of Irish Travellers stood at 30,987, representing 0.7% of the general population in April 2016.
Read more: Irish Travellers and the Census 2016Traveller Pride Awards 2017
This year saw the 9th annual Traveller Pride Awards that took place in the Pillar Rooms on the grounds of the Rotunda hospital. This event officially starts Traveller Pride that ran from the 11th to the 16th of June. There were a number of events planned over the two weeks.
Read more: Traveller Pride Awards 2017State Recognition of Travellers as a Distinct Ethnic Group
What does Ethnic Recognition mean for Irish Travellers?
Ethnicity means belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition, ethnicity is not the same as nationality or place of birth. Your ethnicity or cultural background means the group you descended from.
Read more: State Recognition of Travellers as a Distinct Ethnic GroupBudget 2017 Increase in Pension & Welfare Payments from this Week
The new rate of pensions and weekly social welfare increases announced in Budget 2017 will start to come into effect from this week onwards, with all higher payments in place by St Patrick’s Day. The maximum personal rate of pension will increase by €5 per week for 578,000 pensioners aged 66 and over from this week.
Read more: Budget 2017 Increase in Pension & Welfare Payments from this WeekNational Traveller MABS Welcomes the State Recognition of Travellers as a Distinct Ethnic Group.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D, noted the historic and symbolic recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group in his address to the Dáil on March 1st 2017.
At approximately 6.45 pm he announced,
Read more: National Traveller MABS Welcomes the State Recognition of Travellers as a Distinct Ethnic Group.National Traveller MABS Newsletter
Our first 2017 editions of National Traveller MABS Newsletter and The Thaire Times is now available for you to read, both our issues are bursting with news and information from around the country!
How can Education and Training Work for Traveller Men?
Education is integral to combating financial exclusion. In December, National Traveller MABS co-hosted a seminar with the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) entitled “Engaging Traveller Men”. Over 80 people, representing the 4 provinces of Ireland were in attendance.
Read more: How can Education and Training Work for Traveller Men?It’s all About Education – Making Education Work for Traveller Men
National Traveller MABS are pleased to announce our latest publication. The report "It's All About Education" written by Dermot Sreenan, explores the barriers that prevent many Traveller men from engaging in Community Education.
Read more: It’s all About Education – Making Education Work for Traveller MenBudget Changes 2017
Several of the changes announced in Budget 2017 took effect from 1 January 2017, including changes to the Universal Social Charge. Some of the changes announced in the Budget come into effect immediately.
Read more: Budget Changes 2017Christmas Bonus
There was much welcome with the announcement in Budget 2017 of the increase in this years Christmas bonus.
Read more: Christmas BonusPreparing for Death : Making Advanced Arrangements
A bereavement is one of the worst things a family will endure. Sometimes making advanced arrangements can comfort a very ill person as they will have a sense of peace knowing that arrangements are financially and legally in place.
Read more: Preparing for Death : Making Advanced ArrangementsIrish Rents Rising at Fastest Paste in Over a Decade
Rents are rising in double digits and are now higher than at the height of the Celtic Tiger, with “disastrous” consequences for renters, communities, and the country’s competitiveness.
Read more: Irish Rents Rising at Fastest Paste in Over a DecadeExchange House National Educational Awards 2016
The eight annual Exchange House Educational Achievement Awards took place in The Venue, in Dublin City Council on Friday the 14th October. The Exchange House National Educational Achievement Awards are presented to Travellers who have recently completed the Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, GCSE, A-Level examinations or Third Level Courses.
Read more: Exchange House National Educational Awards 2016Budget 2017: A Missed Opportunity
Budget 2017 was announced today, October 11th 2016.
Overall National Traveller MABS welcomes the increased funding for Traveller accommodation and the additional resources that are to be invested in homelessness, healthcare and education. However we are very disappointed that there has not been a targeted approach in tackling both the causes and impacts of homelessness and the failure to date in providing appropriate Traveller specific accommodation.
Read more: Budget 2017: A Missed OpportunityBudget 2017: What It Means for You?
Budget 2017 was announced today, October 11th 2016.
To help you identify how Budget 2017 may impact on you, National Traveller MABS have summarised some of the changes below. Some of the changes come into effect immediately. Others take effect in 2017.
Read more: Budget 2017: What It Means for You?National Traveller MABS - A Year in Review
Our annual report 2015 is now available for you to read. Last year was a big year for us as we celebrated our 10th anniversary along with launching a media campaign to promote youth savings. Please click here to read more.
Statement from National Traveller MABS on the Report of the National Fire Safety initiative for Travellers
National Traveller MABS welcomes the audit into fire safety in Traveller specific accommodation entitled, ‘Report on Programme to Review and Enhance Fire Safety in Local Authority Provided Traveller Accommodation’. Published on September 22nd 2016, the review was carried out by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM).
Read more: Statement from National Traveller MABS on the Report of the National Fire Safety initiative for...The "It Makes Sense Loan"
National Traveller MABS welcomes the government initiative to address the lack of access to affordable loans for social welfare recipients. The "It Makes Sense loans" have been available in 30 credit unions, on a pilot basis but are now being rolled our nationally and will, it is hoped be available in all credit unions in Ireland.
Read more: The "It Makes Sense Loan"National Traveller MABS Pre Budget Submission 2017
The key elements of our 2017 pre-budget submission aim to alleviate the difficulty that Travellers have in securing safe and habitable accommodation. We prioritise three specific areas that we call on the relevant government departments to consider: Traveller Specific Accommodation, Ethnic Recognition and Access to Affordable Savings and Credit To read more on this please click here.
National Traveller MABS Newsletters
Our latest editions of both The Thaire Times and National Traveller MABS Newsletter are now available for you to read. Both these issues are bursting with information as we take you with us on our recent events, campaigns and also the reports that we produced in 2016. Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page for regular updates and fresh news!!
Get Savings Campaign
Travellers, like everyone, need to have access to affordable credit. Affordable loans are an important tool in ensuring that people do not end up in spiralling debt. We at National Traveller MABS are actively encouraging young Travellers to save in our Get Saving Campaign.
Read more: Get Savings CampaignIreland in Breach in Practice and in Legislation of Traveller's Housing, Accommodation and Eviction Rights
The European Committee of Social Rights has found Ireland to be in breachin practice and in legislation of Traveller's housing, accommodation and eviction rights.
Read more: Ireland in Breach in Practice and in Legislation of Traveller's Housing, Accommodation and...National Traveller MABS Key Worker Evaluation Report” Launched to Improve Access to Financial Services for Travellers
A report evaluating a programme aimed at improving Travellers’ access to financial services was launched on Monday, April 25th by the National Traveller Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
The Key Worker Programme, saw 35 Primary Health Care Workers in 6 regions of Ireland, promote the use of MABS, the CIS and other finance related service providers in their daily role as Traveller Community Health Care Workers within the community.
Read more: National Traveller MABS Key Worker Evaluation Report” Launched to Improve Access to Financial...National Traveller MABS Key Worker Programme
The National Traveller MABS led Key Worker Programme operates in 6 locations in Ireland. It is comprised of a number of local Key Worker Projects. Each local Key Worker project is managed and run voluntarily by the local Primary Health Care for Traveller Project.
Read more: National Traveller MABS Key Worker ProgrammeJoint Statement for National Traveller Organisations and Local Traveller Projects
National and Local Traveller Organisations suspended our participation within the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees in November 2015.
Read more: Joint Statement for National Traveller Organisations and Local Traveller ProjectsNational Traveller MABS Newsletters
Our latest editions of both The Thaire Times and National Traveller MABS Newsletter are now available for you to read. Both these issues are bursting with information as we take you with us on our recent events, campaigns and also the reports that we produced in 2015. Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page for regular updates and fresh news!!