Pavee Point

Pavee Point was delighted to attend the third weekend of the Convention on Education, led by the Department of Education and Youth, and continuing an important process of dialogue and engagement on the future of education.

This weekend provided another opportunity to bring Traveller and Roma voices, experiences and perspectives to the conversation and to highlight the importance of an education system that recognises and supports Traveller and Roma identity, culture and equality.

On Sunday, David Joyce, Pavee Point's Co-ordinator for Further and Higher Education, contributed to a panel discussion on school values and culture, highlighting that inclusion must be built through a whole-of-education approach — with anti-racism training important for all school staff, teaching and non-teaching, and anti-racism training modules integrated as core components of initial teacher training and ongoing professional development.

We look forward to continuing to contribute to the Convention on Education and ensuring that Traveller and Roma perspectives remain central to discussions on education policy, practice and change.

An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth

Today Pavee Point visited the Trinity Library — as part of the outreach work of the Trinity College Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement.

It was brilliant to see the Book of Kells and the other artefacts on display there, and to hear about the colourful history of Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

With a number of Travellers achieving undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at TCD, it was a great opportunity to explore the campus and get a feel for all that the university has to offer.

Great to be at opening days of and experience stories, songs and discussions, dance, rap, heritage and contemporary art.

On Thursday, Pavee Point’s Education Team attended the Tusla School Attendance Summit, bringing together more than 300 representatives to explore the challenges and opportunities around improving school attendance and supporting children and young people to stay engaged in education.

For Traveller and Roma children and young people, improving attendance and participation requires a whole-system approach — working in partnership with families, communities, schools, Traveller organisations and groups working with Roma, government and state agencies.

We welcome the opportunity to be part of these important conversations and to ensure the experiences of Travellers and Roma are included.

Pavee Point continues to support the implementation of the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES), working towards removing barriers and ensuring that every Traveller and Roma child and young person can access, participate in and succeed in education.

Child and Family Agency - Tusla

This week, Pavee Mothers attended the Shaping the Future forum, hosted by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

The forum is the final stage of a wider consultation process on the future of early learning and care, and school age care, across Ireland — bringing together parents, early years educators, school age childcare practitioners, childminders, providers, and a cross-section of organisations.

Pavee Mothers participated in three workshops focusing on affordability, access and quality, highlighting the barriers and experiences of Traveller and Roma children and families in accessing early years and school age care services.

Feedback from the forum will help inform Phase 2 of the 'Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan'.

More on 'Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan' here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/shaping-the-future/

Pavee Point welcomes comments made by Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor this afternoon advocating for resources for Primary Health Care for Travellers Projects (PHCTPs) in Budget 2027, and the implementation of recommendations from Pavee Point's Beyond the Poverty Trap report.

Comments made by Minister Mary Butler on securing resources for the National Traveller Mental Health Action Plan are also welcome.

The Ministers were speaking during a sitting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community.

Today Pavee Mothers are at the 'Break the Cycle Conference' in Dublin — looking to how prevention, timely intervention and family support services can help tackle inequality for children and young people.

The conference is a side event to the official meeting on the European Child Guarantee, and is being organised by Eurochild, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Eurofound, the Children's Rights Alliance, and Child and Family Agency - Tusla.

The European Child Guarantee is the EU’s tool to combat child disadvantages, and is to ensure that all children at risk of poverty have access to services that are core to their well-being and development.

Photo2: Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children's Rights Alliance
Photo3: Kate Duggan, CEO of Tusla

The 2026 Misleór Festival will be kicking off tomorrow, Thursday 24th September, in Galway!

With four days of fantastic events and great craic, there's sure to be something for everyone!

The full programme of events can be viewed here: https://www.misleor.ie/events-1-1-1

On Tuesday, members of Pavee Point's Health and Mental Health Programmes attended the Health Research Board’s National Conversation on Inclusion Health Research.

The day-long conference was an opportunity to contribute Pavee Point's perspectives on the barriers and enablers to inclusive health research, and what meaningful future investment should look like.

Over the last 40 years, a key element of Pavee Point's work has been the development of a methodological approach to research: to inform evidence based responses to the stark inequalities faced by Travellers and Roma in Ireland.

You can read more in our publication: 'Pavee Approach: Guidelines for Inclusive and Ethical Research with Travellers and Roma' https://www.paveepoint.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Pavee-Approach-to-Inclusive-Research-With-Travellers-and-Roma.pdf