asked the Minister for the Environment the up-to-date position regarding legislation and plans for the settlement of itinerants throughout the country; if he is aware of the difficulties being encountered by ordinary members of the community throughout the country and by local authorities trying to cope with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Settlement of Itinerants.
527.
Existing housing legislation required each local authority to provide housing for persons in its areas who are in need of housing and unable to house themselves from their own resources. Local authorities house travellers as part of their normal housing programmes and in accordance with their statutory schemes of letting priorities. The majority of travellers who have been house have been dealt with in this way. Recently, local authorities have been asked by my Department to provide particulars of housing needs and lettings in their areas, with particular reference to specific groups such as travelling people.
In addition to standard housing, local authorities provide special accommodation (group housing schemes or serviced sites) for travellers not yet ready or anxious for normal housing and my Department provides the necessary finance. My Department also recoups 90 per cent of the salary and expenses of social workers employed by local authorities and voluntary settlement committees to assist the accommodation of travellers.
To review policies and services in relation to travelling people, a widely representative review body was set up jointly by the Ministers for Health and the Environment in 1981. A task force composed of six Ministers of State has completed consideration of the report of the review body and their recommendations will shortly be considered by the Government. It is ensivaged that a full statement will be issued when the Government has completed its deliberations on the matter.