This article is from page 4 of the 2007-07-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE findings of a major new study looking at the experiences of ethnic minorities living in Ennis will be published in September.
The study is a joint project car- ried out between the Department of Politics and Public Administration at University of Limerick and Ennis Community Development Project (CDP). It is the first time that such extensive research has been conduct- ed outside of Dublin.
The study will focus on the expe- riences of members of the Traveller community and asylum seekers. It looks at the issue of discrimination and the experiences both groups have had when dealing with the pub- lic services.
The study is now in the final stages and the findings are due to be pub- lished in September.
Professor Tom Lodge and Dr Mau- ra Adshed of the University of Lim- erick are spearheading the project.
Professor Lodge is a_ professor
of peace and conflict studies in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Limerick. Dr Maura Adshed 1s a lec- turer at the same department.
As well as contributing to broader international and comparative re- search mapping rights and discrimi- nation across Europe, it is intended the project will pilot partnership ap- proaches to public policy research that actively seeks out the participa- tion and involvement of community groups and individuals.
Members of both communities eulded by UL and Ennis CDP com- piled the data.
From the communities perspective the project will seek to enable full participation in policy analysis of services that affect them and provide a record of the communities’ present experiences of public services. It will also identify barriers to people’s ac- cess to public services.
The type of formal and informal supports the communities receive will also be identified.