asked the Minister for the Environment if he will grant fincial assistance to local authorites to cover the cost of employing staff to run special housing schemes for itinerants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Itinerant Housing Schemes.
260.
My Department provide a 100 per cent subsidy in respect of the capital costs incurred by local authorities in providing special housing schemes or serviced sites for travellers. In addition, the Department recoups 90 per cent of the expenses incurred in the employment by local authorities of social workers to assist in traveller settlement. There are no proposals to introduce further assistance in respect of administration and operating costs which have traditionally been met from local sources.