Civil Service Traveller and Roma Work Placement Programme

The 2025/2026 Civil Service Traveller and Roma Work Placement Programme was developed in line with the National Traveller and Roma Community Inclusion Strategy II 2024 – 2028 and aims to promote greater participation and inclusion of individuals from these communities in the civil service. The programme is managed by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, working in collaboration with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and recruitment is facilitated by publicjobs. The paid work placement is for a period of 12 months at Clerical Officer or Executive Officer level with a participating Government Department or Office. Prior to completion of the placement, candidates who have been successful in the role may apply for a confined competition for a permanent position in their host Department.

Support structures are in place to ensure the success of the program for both participants and host departments.

• A Traveller and a Roma Programme Liaison Officer from two participating Traveller and Roma organisations are points of contact before and during the programme. They provide support with the application process, interview preparation, information about support workshops and address questions or concerns.
• Wraparound supports are put in place which includes experienced line managers, mentors, on-going training opportunities and a peer network to foster a community among the participants. This support system allows participants to gain hands-on experience, improve performance and growth in key skills, and gain a better understanding on the impact of their work as civil servants.
• A key element of the programme is cultural awareness training for participating Departments, which addresses the skills needed to identify and respond to any latent unconscious bias and informs participants on the history, culture and contemporary challenges faced by members of both communities. Host Departments are therefore better equipped to foster a supportive work environment and achieve meaningful inclusion.
• In November 2025 the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) launched their Inclusive Employment for Traveller and Roma – Employer Guide which incorporated a feature on the Irish Civil Service Traveller and Roma Work Placement Programme. The launch event included a panel discussion outlining the development of the Civil Service programme where participants detailed their positive experience of working in the civil service. Two previous participants feature on the front cover of the guide illustrating a beneficial outcome of this inclusion initiative.

The 2025/2026 Civil Service Traveller and Roma Work Placement programme sees an increase in the number of Departments participating and an increased regional spread of opportunities. This programme creates practical employment opportunities and demonstrates how public sector bodies can take a lead role in social inclusion initiatives.