Less than one-third of Roma children in Ireland are attending school due to a range of factors including language barriers, the cost of education and negative experiences with the education system, according to a new report.
The findings were published yesterday as members of the community celebrated International Roma Day, which was marked by traditional music and dancing at the Pavee Point Travellers' Centre in Dublin.
Most of Ireland's estimated 2,500 Roma came here as asylum-seekers.
While few have achieved recognition as refugees, many have been granted residency in the past on the basis of having children born in Ireland. The majority of Roma have travelled from Romania, although there are significant numbers from other parts of Eastern Europe.
A study carried out by a number of agencies including the Roma Support Group and Pavee Point, uncovered a range of concerns among the community across areas such as education, difficulties maintaining the extended family and unemployment.
Mr Ion Zatreanu, a member of the Roma Support Group who arrived in Ireland one-and-a-half years ago, said the direct provision system in particular had resulted in forced dependency on often inadequate State-provided services and benefits.
Mr Zatreanu said this could lead to increased pressure on some to beg on the streets.
"We would like the Irish authorities to embrace the Roma community. We are interested in working. Many are already doing so on a voluntary basis in groups like ours," Mr Zatreanu said.
The report recommends that the Roma community be included in plans to combat social exclusion by providing language services, childcare and advice services to the population.
Ms Caoimhe McCabe, an information worker with Pavee Point, said the group was working closely with the Roma Support Group because both Travellers and the Roma community had many shared concerns.
