€130,000 allocated towards Traveller education project
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD with members of Waterford City and County Council at the Consent Matters Project Launch.
Over €130,000 has been allocated to Waterford for a Traveller Community Safety Educational Project.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD announced Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) would receive €132,183 of a €4.4 million allocation for the Community Safety Fund.
The fund aims to redirect illegal profits seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Síochána back into communities.
The Traveller safety programme is designed to have a liaison work on improving road safety and animal welfare within the Traveller community.
“This initiative came to light through active and constructive relationships between Travellers and Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership,” said Seamus de Faoite, director of services at Waterford City and County Council.
“The educational program will be rolled out across six locations in Waterford City and County, commencing in 2026, in the form of workshops and demonstrations tailored to the needs of the local Traveller community.”
Per Census 2022, there were 609 Travellers in Waterford, composed of 315 females and 294 males.
Previous WLCSP projects have included efforts to stem anti-social behaviours, counter drug-related issues and tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
WLSCP was founded three years ago as a pilot initiative that combines statutory services, the voluntary and community sector and local councillors to combat safety issues in Waterford.
