Groups representing the Travelling community have welcomed assurances by the Minister for Health that the first ever study into Traveller health will go ahead later this year.
Speaking at a conference on Traveller health in Dublin today, Mr Martin said he and his Government recognised Travellers as a distinct ethnic group.
He said his Department and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland were "jointly committed" to carrying out a Travellers' All-Ireland health study.
Mr Martin said officials in his department were currently considering a draft design for the study and options for its procurement which it was hoped would commence later this year.
Currently the only reliable statistics on Traveller health in Ireland are contained in a 1987 study.
In its 2002 national strategy on Traveller Health, the Government pledged to conduct a Traveller needs assessment and health status study following a consultation process with health bodies and Traveller organisations.
Welcoming today's announcement, Pavee Point's director, Ms Ronnie Fay, hailed the Minister's recognition of Travellers as a minority ethic group as a milestone.
Ms Fay said this was the first official recognition of Travellers' as a distinct ethnic group by the Government.
She said the 1987 statistics on Traveller health were out of date and an extensive needs assessment study was crucial for future health initiatives
She said she hoped the study would identify in particular the specific living conditions of Travellers affected their health.
