Examining the Impact of the Recognition of Irish Traveller Ethnic Minority Status on Education through the Lens of Nancy Fraser

This paper examined the impact of the 2017 Recognition of Irish Travellers as an Ethnic Minority through the lens of Fraser's model of justice. A number of interviews were held with a community development worker, a Traveller support worker, a Traveller education officer and three groups of Traveller women in relation to the impact of the recognition, and several themes emerged. Overall, the recognition as an ethnic minority was celebrated by Traveller organisations but for Travellers in the community there was little to no impact on their daily lives and on education provision, and no impact on Traveller status and recognition of the Traveller culture. Gaps in educational provision persisted with insufficient literacy and other learning supports. Awareness of Traveller culture was needed in schools for staff and students, and discrimination continued to be an issue.