A pioneering all-island study focusing on the health needs of up to 40,000 Travellers begins today.
Around 400 members of the community have been trained as researchers for the census type survey, which is the first of its kind in the world.
The results will assess the health of Travellers and the factors associated with it, including culture, lifestyle, socio-economic circumstances and the impact of current health services.
UCD Professor Cecily Kelleher, who is leading the research, said the study is for, with, and by Travellers.
"We hope quite literally to give Travellers themselves a voice in their future health," she said.
"We have had over a year of detailed consultation and planning to get to the fieldwork stage and now have a really remarkable electronic questionnaire to ensure the best quality information can be collected with nearly 10,000 families across the country."
In recent months Traveller organisations across the country have been working with communities about the importance of the study.
Over the next six weeks the newly-trained researchers will visit the Travellers all over the country and, with laptops and online questionnaires, collect information related to their health status.
The Traveller Health research project Our Geels is led by the UCD School of Public Health and Population Science, in collaboration with DCU School of Nursing.
The findings from the study — jointly funded by the Department of Health and Children, Health Service Executive and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland, and with the support of Traveller organisations and FAS — will provide a framework for policy development and practice in relation to Traveller health.
Health Minister Mary Harney said the study was the culmination of considerable work undertaken in consultation with Traveller organisations, health service providers and other interest groups.
"Traveller health has been a priority area for health services over many years and this has led to a considerable investment in traveller health infrastructure," said Ms Harney.
"The findings from this study will provide evidence and insights to inform future policy and service provision."
PA