Senator Eileen Flynn has become the first Traveller to be elected to chair the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community.
Ms Flynn said she looked forward to tackling some of the inequalities that impact on the Traveller community.
The committee will consider physical and mental health including levels of suicide.
It will also examine school completion rates and educational attainment.
Senator Eileen Flynn elected Chair of the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community - read the press release here #seeforyourself
— Houses of the Oireachtas (@OireachtasNews) November 19, 2020
✅Press Release: https://t.co/x1FP0F8GXO
✅Committee Page: https://t.co/bdPH4L0EM6
✅Senators Page: https://t.co/bVXRw3u4F8 pic.twitter.com/SS233zQvF4
Members will also discuss the high level of Traveller unemployment which stands at 80%, along with access to housing and the high homelessness rate.
Ms Flynn is the first member of the Traveller community to be appointed to the Seanad.
She is one of the Taoiseach's eleven nominees.
