Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Halting Sites.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

348 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to amend the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, which prevents local authorities from taking action against unauthorised encampments unless there are vacancies on an official halting site within a radius of five miles of the unauthorised encampment; if he has satisfied himself that this provision is equitable in situations where the occupation of an unauthorised site is by way of forcible entry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15544/96]

Seamus Brennan

Question:

349 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment when the new guidelines for the construction of halting sites will be available for release in view of the fact that the existing guidelines, dating back to September 1985, are in urgent need of review; his views on whether full and open consultation with all parties concerned, namely residents, travellers, public representatives and local authorities, should be an integral part of proposals for the construction of halting sites in any local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/96]

Seamus Brennan

Question:

350 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to provide funding for local authorities to maintain existing and new halting sites; if he has satisfied himself that the provision of capital funding for such sites is sufficient without any funding for ongoing maintenance being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/96]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 349 and 350 together.

The National Strategy for Traveller Accommodation, which I announced in the Dáil on 27 March 1996, includes a proposal to give wider legislative powers to local authorities to deal with unauthorised parking by travellers in circumstances where local authorities have provided sufficient accommodation for travellers in their areas. Preparation of the necessary legislation is currently under way.

The guidelines for residential caravan parks issued by my Department to local authorities in 1985 are currently being reviewed and I intend that revised guidelines will be issued shortly. The existing guidelines recommend that local authorities consult with the travellers who are to use the sites selected, or their representatives, and, where possible, with local community groups or their public representatives, prior to site acquisition. The need for the fullest possible consultation process was stressed more recently in the policy document Social Housing — The Way Ahead and this will be restated in the revised guidelines.

The National Strategy provides that management and maintenance of residential caravan parks, currently the responsibility of the housing authorities, is to be improved with a view to securing higher standards of upkeep. The question of providing assistance to local authorities in respect of the costs involved, as recommended in the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community, is currently under consideration in my Department.