Vol. 437 No. 2
13 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he has received a request for financial assistance from the European Centre for Travellers, Tuam, County Galway; and if so, the action, if any, he is taking in the matter.
I have received a request for financial assistance from the European Centre for Travellers.
On 18 February 1993, I had a meeting with four representatives of the centre at which the issue was discussed. I explained that my role as Minister for Equality and Law Reform was essentially a co-ordinating one and that, as such, my Department was not in a position to fund projects of this nature, however worthwhile.
I subsequently approached some other Ministers to ascertain whether their Departments might be in a position to provide financial assistance to the centre but I was informed that they were unable to do so. Unfortuntately, due to current budgetary constraints, the Government is not in a position to provide financial assistance for many laudable projects, such as the centre in question.
Is the Minister aware of the confusion in people's minds about his role in the provision of facilities for the travelling community and work in connection with the integration and settlement of the travelling community? Does he consider that the work being undertaken at the European Centre for Travellers in Tuam is praiseworthy and deserving of support? Would he agree that it is astonishing that the only funds being made available for this work have come directly from a European Community source and the Irish Government has failed to support its work? Is this indicative of the Government's opinion on the work being undertaken?
From the report on the intended project for the European Centre for Travellers, it appears to be very worthwhile. They are seeking £3.3 million approximately over a three year period for the provision of vocational training workshops, libraries, a museum, a heritage centre, an auditorium and theatre facilities, a social centre, accommodation facilities and administrative expenses. This major project is very desirable. My Department, however, in this regard is not a funding Department. The role of my Department in this connection is clearly set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The question of direct responsibility for housing, and other matters in relation to the travelling community, rests with the local authorities, but the Departments of the Environment, Health and Education have a role.
There is no provision in my Estimate from which a grant of that order could be made. The question of the needs of the travelling community is being addressed by a task force on the travelling community under the chairmanship of Deputy McManus. It will examine all aspects of the needs of the travelling community and the co-ordination between different Departments. The role of Government agencies, Departments, local authorities and so on come within the ambit of the task force. I do not wish to prejudge the task force, as it may well indicate that certain rationalisation or co-ordination or variation in areas of responsibility may be appropriate.
I regret that it was not possible to provide funding towards this very ambitious project in 1993 but perhaps the situation may be different in 1994 and I suggest the Deputy raise the matter with the Minister for the Environment or other appropriate Ministers.
I am very disappointed with the Minister's response except that he confirmed that he was aware of the work being undertaken at this centre since February 1993 — he will recall having had a discussion with me shortly after his appointment and to have received correspondence from me. It represents a poor response from a Government which claims it would make progress, to find that all the Departments of State which have been approached have refused to give a positive response or indication of positive support which sets back the objectives of the special responsibilities alleged to have been devolved to the Minister in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
I am aware of the great interest that Deputy Molloy has had in this project for quite some time; he corresponded with me about it. I met the promoters of the scheme and they discussed the matter with me. It is a very impressive scheme but it is regrettable that there has not been funding available for it in 1993.
I raised this matter with other Ministers to see whether resources might be made available. There are many worthwhile laudable projects for the travelling community and other similar projects. This is a very ambitious project and I am sure Deputy Molloy will pursue it with other Departments which might have a role in this area. My Department, unfortunately, is not a funding Department and an examination of the Estimates for 1994 shows that clearly.
The Minister stated that the work of the task force should not be used as an excuse for the lack of action of bodies responsible for the provision of services to the travelling community. In his role as co-ordinator will the Minister pursue this matter? I note, for example, he has not indicated whether he contacted the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht as there is a very large cultural component in this application. The project is in a part of the country that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht knows well. Although the Minister may not be able to finance this directly surely he has a role to play in setting up a package to fund this centre from various sources. It would be immensely helpful if action of this type is taken, particularly in view of the work this centre does. The centre was established without any assistance from Government sources and it is about time the Government supported it.
I did take up the matter with the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht but, unfortunately, he did not have funds available in his Estimate for 1993. I have no objection to taking the matter up again with those Ministers in the context of the Estimates for 1994. Of course, it is open to any Member to raise the matter directly with any of the Ministers by tabling an appropriate question.
I raised this matter with every Minister in the Cabinet from the Taoiseach down and in each case, the response was negative. I was very disappointed to hear the Minister contradict himself when stating that his is not a funding Department. In reply to the previous question, the Minister took almost half an hour applauding himself for having succeeded in increasing by £2 million the amount for a scheme in which he has a vested interest.
I do not know what the Deputy means by saying that I have a vested interest in the legal aid scheme. That is a matter that comes within the ambit of my Department and consequently I was dealing with it. The question of funding for projects for the travelling community——
The Minister was able to find money for the solicitors but not for the travellers.
——is not a matter that comes within the ambit of my Department. That is a matter for decision by the Government. The Deputy may table questions to the responsible Ministers.
That has been done.
I cannot put the matter any further.
The Minister should resign because nothing is happening in regard to this project.
