asked the Minister for the Environment the local authorities which have now completed a planned settlement programme of halting sites and related housing facilities for travelling people; if he has satisfied himself that the larger local authorities, including Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council, have satisfactorily dealt with the problem of providing halting sites for travelling people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Facilities for Travelling People.
142.
A comprehensive programme to provide accommodation and other services for travellers was announced in July 1984. Within the context of that programme, primary responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of travellers and the planning and initiation of schemes to meet these needs are matters for individual housing authorities.
The distribution of travellers between the different local authorities varies greatly as does their accommodation needs. Over many years local authorities have been encouraged to provide appropriate accommodation for travellers in their area. Such provision can either be by way of serviced caravan parks or housing, depending generally on the wishes in this respect of the persons involved. In all cases, the cost of providing the accommodation in question is met in full by the Exchequer.
Over the last four years 16 serviced sites were completed, three are under construction and 13 are at an advanced planning stage. In addition, seven group housing schemes were completed, two are under construction and five are at an advanced planning stage. The average yearly number of travelling facilities accommodated in standard housing is in the region of 150. These arrangements substantially provide for the accommodation needs in some local authority areas but in the case of Dublin the number of travellers is greater and therefore a more substantial programme is necessary and is currently under way.