Mapping is an essential part of research where differences are to measured according to geographical location. To discover if there are serious deficiencies in one particular region, for instance, or to establish needs with relation to relevant authorities, it is necessary to be able to plot data geographically. In addition, in order to successfully carry out a major research exercise in diverse areas where there may be hazards or difficulties, a mapping exercise helps teams plan for risks and emergencies.

What is mapping?

Mapping, for our purposes, is the process of identifying the physical locations of Travellers on a pictorial representation of an area, the presence or absence of services in an area occupied by Travellers, and environmental factors affecting Traveller settlements. It will also identify gaps in coverage of Traveller families within the study.

Mapping is pretty fundamental to the study. Without maps, we have no geographical data for the survey. Without maps to plot the results of the study, it’d be much harder to develop conclusions about quality and access to healthcare.

In order to determine the location and number of Travellers geographically and aid the All Ireland Traveller Health Study, it is necessary to undertake an exercise in mapping. The mapping portion of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study aims to identify the location of populations of Travellers by locality, county and region. Most areas will create maps.

Are there different types of mapping?

We have a need for essentially three types of map;

• Local mapping is primarily of use for local Traveller groups, and identifies accommodation types, physical hazards and service presence or absence in individual accommodation areas.
• Regional maps show the locations of differing types of Traveller accommodation, directly on Ordnance Survey maps. It shows the types of accommodation, and gives information on co-ordinators and potential peer researchers.
• A national map would show, in less detail, the locations of Traveller accommodation, co-ordinators and potential peer researchers.

Local Maps

The mapping has been undertaken by Traveller Primary Healthcare projects. Projects identified types of accommodation (ie. halting sites, group housing, roadside, and standard housing) occupied by Travellers in the local area.

Actual identified populations can be physically marked on Ordnance Survey maps.

In addition, more detailed maps of each site were drawn up by community health workers / trainees.

Local Maps of each site were drawn up by community health workers / trainees, using culturally appropriate icon images, to represent:

• type of accomodation (trailer, house)
• hazards in the area (waste, vermin infestation, high-tension wire pylons)
• available and absent amenities/facilities (water, post service, bin collection, street lighting, community centre, pre-school)

Colour-coding is used to represent numbers of houses or bays on each site and numbers of families.

The Local Maps are well suited to the planning, monitoring and implementation of Primary Healthcare Workplans. They are a useful tool within the All Ireland Traveller Health Study for locating families and tracking the progress of the study.

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Regional Maps

Regional networks can use Regional maps based on Ordnance Survey maps, to co-ordinate the conduct of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study. Local maps feed into the process of creating the Regional maps.

In addition to simply identifying populations, the mapping exercise aims to identify:

• types of accommodation used by Travellers
• Traveller community living in the mapped areas
• potential challenges in the future fulfillment of the census

and to assist in the assessment, planning and development of strategies to support the community on an ongoing basis.

National Maps

The National Traveller Health Network aims to create an aggregate National map, using information from the Local and Regional maps.