Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 3

Written Answers. - Halting Sites.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

98 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment the criteria used in assessing applications from local authorities for funding of halting site proposals; the aspects, if any, which would be unacceptable to him in his consideration of such applications; whether he seeks independent professional advice on such applications to take account of the expert views of road engineers, legal experts, architects and engineers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7139/97]

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

Applications by local authorities for capital funding for halting site proposals are considered, having regard to the characteristics of individual sites, by reference to guideline issued by my Department to local authorities in 1985. The Department's corps of professional qualified staff is available, as necessary, to advise on individual proposals. A copy of the guidelines was forwarded to the Deputy on a previous occasion. They are currently being revised in consultation with local authorities and the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Group.

The location of halting sites, including planning, environmental, social and other technical aspects, remains, however, primarily a matter for each local authority to decide.