Vol. 481 No. 4
18 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will implement the national strategy on traveller accommodation; whether he will commit this Government to providing the 3,100 units of accommodation required by the year 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16283/97]
I am committed to the implementation of the National Strategy for Traveller Accommodation. The strategy provides for new legislation requiring local authorities to adopt five year accommodation programmes to meet the needs of existing traveller families and of the anticipated growth in such families during the five year period. The Government's legislation programme makes provision for the publication of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Bill during this session. The Bill is at present being finalised by the Parliamentary Draftsman's Office. Pending the enactment of the legislation, local authorities have been advised of the need to accelerate their existing programmes to ensure progress towards meeting the accommodation targets set out in the strategy.
The national traveller accommodation consultative group, which is representative of local authorities, travellers and Government Departments concerned, will also be continued and its composition strengthened under the proposed legislation.
