asked the Minister for the Environment to outline the details of the Government's programme for the settlement of itinerants in Dublin county and city and the progress made to date in its implementation.
Written Answers. - Itinerant Settlement.
410.
Details of the Government's overall programme in regard to the accommodation of travellers were set out in the Government policy statement of 20 July 1984, copies of which have been placed in the Oireachtas Library. As indicated in that statement, the primary responsibility for the provision of houses for travellers and the selection and provision of serviced sites will remain with the local authorities and my Department will continue to provide the necessary funds for this purpose.
It would be premature at this stage to attempt any overall assessment of progress since the publication of the policy statement. I might mention, however, that since 20 July, my Department have approved three group housing schemes for traveller families in the Dublin area. These schemes comprise of ten, eight and 12 houses at Dunsink Lane, Deansrath and Fortunestown respectively. In addition, a tender in respect of a halting site at Ballycoolin has been approved and I am awaiting plans from the county council for a further six halting sites already approved by the council. I understand also that under the county council's regular housing programme, houses have been allocated to 17 traveller families since the issue of the policy statement and that seven families have been housed by Dublin Corporation since July last.