Civil service employment for Travellers in the context of building on symbolic ethnic recognition
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Date
2024
Authors
Coyle, Chris
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
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Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the relationship between the Irish civil service and the Irish Traveller in the context of inclusion for Travellers, with specific regard to employment. The reason why this research area has emerged, and why it matters, is because for decades, Irish Travellers have remained on the verges. Not so much on the verges of society – because as a group who identify as having their own distinct identity and ethnicity – there is no appetite to be included in non-Traveller society. But more so, Travellers are viewed by a very significant portion of non-Travellers, as being untrustworthy. They are viewed with suspicion and they are readily discriminated against, both at an individual level and at an institutional level.
The term non-Traveller is being used through this thesis instead of the more common title of ‘settled’, this is because usage of the term settled, implies that the Traveller people are ‘unsettled’. And although the nomadic lifestyle is a key component of the Traveller’s ethnic being, implying an unsettled lifestyle, is a term that Traveller’s themselves prefer to avoid. Therefore the most appropriate titles are Traveller and non-Traveller.
On the part of Travellers, this research question will explore how Travellers view themselves and their role in improving their living conditions. Within this there will be discussions surrounding discrimination, physical and mental health, housing and education.
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Keywords
Civil service , Traveller , Employment , Ethnic , Ethnicity , Discrimination
Citation
Coyle, C. 2024. Civil service employment for Travellers in the context of building on symbolic ethnic recognition. MRes Thesis, University College Cork.