Attitudes to Roma people particularly negative in Cork, report finds

Travellers and Roma face the highest levels of prejudice of any ethnic group in Ireland, with attitudes to Roma people particularly negative in Cork, according to new ESRI research on attitudes to social groups.

“Travellers and Roma are two distinct ethnic groups with different histories, cultures, and languages. However, attitudes to both groups are very similar in Ireland,” the report said.

Attitudes to Roma were most negative in the South West of Ireland, which includes Cork, and in the Midlands, the report found.

It added that women and people aged 16-20 were more tolerant towards Travellers and Roma than men and older age groups, and more educated respondents were generally more comfortable with Travellers and Roma compared to less well-educated respondents.

Those who described themselves as ‘middle-class’ were less comfortable with Travellers and Roma than those who described themselves as ‘working-class’.

Rachel Hurley Roche of the Workers’ Party, who previously worked as a Roma education worker in Cork, told The Echo that the research: “Unfortunately does not reveal any shocking statistics regarding prejudice toward Traveller and Roma.”

She added: “It is disappointing to see that there remains a negative attitude toward cross community friendships for our children.

“Friendship is the building block for the self-esteem, identity, and development of every child.

Ms Hurley Roche went on to say that more needs to be done to address negative health outcomes for members of the Travelling community.

Respondents living in disadvantaged communities were more comfortable with having Travellers as neighbours than those living in more affluent areas, though previous ESRI research has found the opposite effect for immigrants.

Report author, Frances McGinnity said: “The views of the majority population are important for understanding the experience of minorities, and for Travellers and Roma, this report highlights high levels of both prejudice and disadvantage.”