I am committed to the implementation of the national strategy for traveller accommodation and local authorities have been urged by my Department to accelerate their programmes to ensure increased provison of traveller accommodation.
The strategy includes the enactment of new amending legislation which will provide for: an obligation on local authorities, to prepare and adopt by a date to be specified, five year programmes to meet the existing and projected accommodation needs of travellers in their areas; an obligation on local authorities to take the appropriate steps to secure implementation of programmes; the continuation, on a statutory basis, and the strengthening of the composition of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee; a requirement on local authorities to set up local accommodation committees; the amendment of planning legislation to require planning authorities to include objectives re traveller accommodation in their county-city development plans; and improved powers for local authorities to deal with unauthorised temporary dwellings.
The drafting of the Bill is at present being finalised by the Parliamentary Draftsman's office with a view to the publication during the present session.
