Middle-class people hold more negative attitudes about Traveller and Roma people than those from working-class backgrounds, according to a report published on Tuesday.
The study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) finds these distinct communities “face the highest levels of prejudice of any ethnic group in Ireland” and “notably, people living in affluent areas were less comfortable with having Travellers as neighbours or in a relationship with their child than those living in disadvantaged areas”.
“Attitudes to Travellers were particularly negative in the west, southwest and the midlands regions, whereas attitudes to Roma were most negative in the southwest and midlands,” it said.
The study, Understanding Attitudes To Travellers and Roma in Ireland, drew on Census 2022 data and an equality attitudes survey, commissioned last year by the Department of Children, which examines people’s “comfort levels” with different groups in three areas of their lives.
Overall, people were most comfortable having Travellers and Roma in their child’s class in school; less comfortable with them as neighbours, and least comfortable with the idea of them being in a romantic relationship with their child.
While 34 per cent of white Irish adults have a third-level degree, just 3 per cent of Travellers and 26 per cent of Roma have, the report said. In all, 61 per cent of Irish Travellers were unemployed, compared to 16 per cent of Roma and 7 per cent of the white Irish population.
“Women are more comfortable than men with both groups … and the youngest age group are more tolerant than older age groups,” the report said.
“Those who described themselves as middle class were also more negative across most domains for both [Travellers and Roma]. Additionally, homeowners were generally less comfortable with Travellers and Roma than those in other forms of tenure, such as privately rented accommodation and social housing.”
Having a child, regardless of age, was associated with “significantly more negative attitudes to both Travellers and Roma” on the question of one’s child being in a relationship with a member of either community.
“Those who believed quality of life was better in the past were less tolerant across most domains for both groups, whereas those who had confidence in the future were more positive,” the report said.
Addressing negative attitudes would require a “proactive approach”, including increasing workplace participation by members of the two communities which would “provide opportunities for positive social contact with a shared goal”, the report said.
“Providing the population in Ireland with information to counter negative stereotypes about Travellers and Roma through media or other communication channels may help to modify beliefs about the group,” it adds.
“Broadening participation of Travellers and Roma in society and public life may also create the conditions for further dialogue and better facilitate intergroup understanding.”
