All Ireland Traveller Health Study Our Geels - Department of Health ...

All Ireland Traveller Health Study
‘...It has been a fantastic learning experience, with Travellers building up their skills and knowledge’.
‘...Hard work, long hours but worth it, I am proud I could do it’.
Census in Northern Ireland
Following Trust approval, the census in Northern Ireland commenced in all areas on 16th February,
2009 and was completed on 24th April, 2009. The data was collected by 36 teams of trained Traveller
Peer Researchers and 12 co-ordinators. There was a very positive response, with 1,562 Traveller families
enumerated, greatly exceeding the 752 families identified in the initial enumeration process. The census
collection went very smoothly as the issues/challenges identified in the Republic of Ireland were
addressed in the training and in the preparation of the Northern Ireland software; this was reflected in
the few calls to the helpline.
Comments From the Regional Reviews of the Northern Ireland Census
Similar to the experience in ROI, the NI Peer Researchers found participation in the study data collection
a very empowering experience, and in their feedback they expressed a hope that this commitment and
engagement by the Travellers will lead to the further development of local and regional Traveller health
initiatives.
‘...We hope that this work we have done, will become the foundation of more work with Travellers on their
health, as Travellers on the doorsteps asked us to use this information to help them improve their health’.
‘...The study has created a great interest in Travellers’ own health, and we need to build on this enthusiasm and
not let them down’.
The UCD study team would like to thank all the Traveller Peer Researchers and study co-ordinators
for the excellent work that was undertaken. Their enthusiasm and commitment facilitated the further
identification and inclusion of additional Traveller families during the census.
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