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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Jun 1984

Vol. 352 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Facilities for Travellers.

3.

asked the Minister for the Environment the cost of implementing Dublin County Council proposals for halting sites and dwellings for travellers; and if he will give details of the amount of finance being made available by his Department for the implementation of these plans.

Most of the travelling families accommodated by Dublin County Council are housed as part of the council's regular housing programme in accordance with the statutory scheme of letting priorities. These houses, and group housing schemes, are financed from my Department's Local Loans Fund allocation for local authority housing which will be notified to the county council in the next week or so. Separate figures are not maintained in respect of the cost of houses allocated to different categories of persons.

Dublin County Council have submitted two proposals to my Department for group housing schemes for the accommodation of travellers. These comprise a 12-house and an eight-house scheme, the estimated costs of which are £430,000 and £250,000 respectively. The council have been informed in each case that the plans are in order. In addition, I have approved the council's proposals for a ten-pitch halting site at Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, at an estimated cost of £308,570. This is now to proceed to tender.

The council have approved halting sites in 16 other locations. None of these proposals, however, has been submitted to my Department and costings are not available. The allocation of funds for these schemes does not therefore arise at this stage.

Does the Minister agree that because of lack of progress this subject has become a national crisis point and that local authorities generally must combine with the Department to provide adequate halting sites for itinerant families?

As I said on the Adjournment last night, my direct responsibility is to provide funds for the provision of housing to local authorities, who are then directly responsible for the provision of housing in general and, of course, housing for itinerants. I am aware of the serious problem that has arisen in Dublin, and the Minister of State has been given responsibility to look at the problem. He has brought proposals to me which I will bring to the Government.

Is the Minister prepared to state the locations of the two housing schemes submitted by Dublin County Council.

One is at Fortunestown, Tallaght, and the other at Deansrath, Clondalkin.

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