Technical Report - Donegal Traveller's Project

All Ireland Traveller Health StudyContext of Findings:Comparable DatasetsThe AITHS has provided a unique and comprehensive overview of the demographic, social, economicand health position of the Travelling community in Ireland, both in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) andNorthern Ireland (NI). However, to adequately frame this picture in context, a comparative narrative isneeded.Social and Living Conditions ofTraveller FamiliesGeneral SummaryThe majority of respondents, 75.9% in ROI and 94.3% in NI, lived in family units of 5 or less. Respondentsmost frequently lived in a house (73.3% ROI, 55.4% NI), followed by trailer/mobile home or caravan(18.2% ROI, 23.8% NI). In ROI housing was most frequently provided by a local authority (57.1%),whereas in NI accommodation was provided by the housing executive (50.9%). Most homes comprised2 to 4 rooms (78.8% ROI and 82.9% NI). Most of the houses and flats had central heating (92.9% ROI and95.8% NI). Most accommodation had both hot and cold water, (94.4% ROI and 85.6% NI), an individualbath or shower (63.7% ROI and 78.5% NI), and flush toilet (91.6% ROI and 84.4% NI).Rubbish collection was weekly in 61.6% of ROI families but fortnightly for most NI households (70.9%).Most also received post delivered to their home (96.9% ROI and 90.7% NI), which arrived regularly in97.5% of households in both jurisdictions. In ROI 23.3% of families and 18.0% families in NI had notransport. A majority in both jurisdictions (56.8% ROI and 62.3% NI) said they last moved for personalchoice, the next most frequent reason being for better facilities (39.7% ROI and 26.1% NI).Considerable numbers of families who lived in Group Housing or sites reported a lack of footpaths,public lighting, fire hydrants and safe play areas, the latter being unavailable for 77.5% of ROI and 79.9%of NI respondents. A quarter of families (24.4% ROI and 24.8% NI) considered where they lived to beunhealthy or very unhealthy, and again appreciable numbers (26.4% ROI and 29.0% NI) considered theirplace of residence unsafe.Difficulty in reading and filling out forms was reported by 28.8% of ROI families and 35.3% of thosein NI. However, 95.5% of ROI and 89.8% of NI family respondents could calculate change from a Euroor pound note, as relevant. In the past year 78.5% of ROI and 62.6% of NI families had not travelled atall, and of those who did, this occurred most frequently in the summer period in both jurisdictions,peaking in June and July.190