asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans in the immediate future to deal with the problem of the settlement of itinerants in the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Settlement of Itinerants.
17.
It is the responsibility of each local authority to provide the necessary accommodation for travelling people, whether under their normal housing programmes, in special schemes, or on halting sites. My Department provide 100 per cent subsidy in respect of the capital costs of providing special accommodation and 90 per cent recoupment of the cost of employing social workers. A Government Review Body composed of six Ministers of State under my chairmanship have considered the Report of the Travelling People Review Group and their recommendations will shortly be considered by the Government.
Will the Minister agree that there is a need for a co-ordinated body to assist in the settling of travelling people? Is the Minister aware that, while some local authorities have fulfilled their duty in regard to settling travelling people, neighbouring authorities have not and that that automatically creates a problem? Will the Minister agree that it is time the Department established a co-ordinating body to overcome this problem?
A Government statement will be issued shortly on this matter and I hope a proposal in regard to the problem mentioned by the Deputy will come forward. However, I am not waiting for that report and I am meeting all county managers on an individual basis to discuss their proposals to deal with this problem. I accept that some counties felt they were being asked to do too much while others dragged their feet. I will be taking action to ensure that all local authorities play their part in dealing with this problem. I met the county manager from the Deputy's constituency yesterday and discussed the problems in that county.