asked the Minister for Local Government if his Department and that of the North of Ireland Government propose to undertake joint solutions and parallel legislation with a view to solving the problem of itinerants in both communities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Problem of Itinerants.
12.
I am not aware of any proposals on the part of the Northern Ireland Government in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy.
As the Deputy is aware, the policy adopted by the Government and recommended by me to local authorities is that camping sites for itinerants should be provided by local authorities as a first step towards the solution of the problem. I have made generous State subsidies available for the provision of such sites. The introduction of new legislation is not envisaged at present.
Would the Minister say how many local authorities availed of these generous State subsidies?
Very few.
Have any?
There is Longford. I am not quite sure.
The Minister will agree that he is on record as having said that if local authorities did not provide the sites, he would introduce legislation to force them to do so? Has he any comment to make on that?
I would like to confirm that.