History of the National Association of Travellers' Centres (NATC)
Background
In 1963, the Report of the Commission on Itinerancy was published by the Government. This report documented a review that had taken place of the living conditions and educational provision of Travellers at that time.
This report was requested by Victor Bewley and colleagues who had identified the specific needs of "itinerants" within Irish Society. One of those people was Monsignor G. T. Fehily. The Dublin Itinerant Settlement Committee was established and it took the view that Travellers were another group of people living in poverty who were in need of help, particularly in accommodation, education and health. The Commission understood its task; this task was "to promote absorption of Travellers into the general community..." It was a response based on charity rather than rights based. These particular interventions were carried out "for" Travellers rather than "with" the Traveller community. This was the hallmark of all types of interventions with Travellers for the next 20 years.
In 1980, Archbishop Ryan established the Parish of the Travelling People which was supported by the Vincentians. Fr Michael McCullough was the first parish priest. However, the Archbishop made it clear that Travellers were primarily parishioners in the parish in which they lived and this appointment was an additional support for them.
In 1983, the government produced the Report of the Travelling People Review Body. This Report reflected a change in thinking and stated ‘accommodation did not mean integration and absorption'. This report reflected the new thinking that Travellers should be permitted to retain his/her traditional lifestyle, could do. At that time, a group of people came together who saw Travellers as a distinct ethnic group. Tensions arose within the Traveller scene which ultimately led to the demise of the National Council for Travelling People and the establishment of Pavee Point and the Irish Traveller Movement. There was an emphasis on Travellers being directly involved in resolving their own problems and pursuing their rights.
The first Travellers Training Centre
During this period, Sr. Collette O'Dwyer and others began the first Travellers Training Centre in Ennis in 1974, funded with the support of Department of Labour (ANCO/FAS) and Department of Education (Co. Clare VEC) as a response to meeting the vocational skills of Travellers at that time. The aims of this centre reflected the views expressed in the previous 10 years of working with Travellers; this was to assimilate Travellers into the settled community. This first centre was hoped to provide Travellers with employment skills with a view to absorbing Travellers into Irish society. The settlement committees for Travellers were established during that period in order to support Travellers in accessing housing with a view to moving away from their traditional lifestyles. As Traveller Centres developed across the country, NATC was borne, as part of the tri-partite agreement between the Department of Education and FAS in relation to the management of these Centres. NATC comprised of Directors of these Centres, members of the now disbanded National Council for Travelling People, Sr. Colette O Dwyer and representatives from members of and voluntary organisations across the country.
Pivotal role of NATC
As Centres were established, the National Association of Travellers' Centres played a pivotal role in policy development for these Centres and as part of their role NATC would have organised a number of national conferences for staff and management on issues pertinent to staff working in these Centres.
The National Association of Travellers' Centres (NATC) aims to promote the role of Senior Traveller Training Centres as educators and skills providers and to support the Travelling community in achieving social inclusion and advancement through education and training. Full cognisance of Traveller culture and identity is the driving force for this organisation.
In 1988, Lottery funds were first allocated to NATC, specifically targeting Travellers. This funding was distributed by NATC to all Traveller committees where there were Traveller Centres located. These Traveller committees were set up to oversee this funding that was dedicated to Travellers in the local area. Many youth projects and adult groups were supported with the funding received. Generally, the centre Director acted as the treasurer for the local Traveller committees.
Youth Service
In time, this funding was allocated through the Youth Affairs Section, Department of Education and Science under the Special Projects for Disadvantaged Youth.
Presently, NATC Youth Work Service aims to empower Traveller Youths, both male and female between the ages of 5 and 25 years to participate in the wider Irish society by providing culturally appropriate projects that meet their identified educational, social, leisure and spiritual needs. NATC aims to empower young Travellers to involve themselves in both their own leisure and social development and in the development of their own Community both locally and nationally. Also NATC still retains the role to advocate on behalf of Centres with many of the stakeholders, especially the DES etc.
NATC, a major National Traveller organisation
NATC is now spearheaded by James O'Leary, CEO, NATC for a number of years; Mr. O'Leary has shown tremendous leadership in developing NATC as a representative organisation. It now has credibility as a major National Traveller organisation and represents the Traveller community in many different forums.
The history of NATC is unique as an organisation as it has developed to respond to the changing needs of society towards Travellers, but it also has been at the forefront to ensure that Travellers' culture and heritage is cherished for the community.
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