Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Halting Sites.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

693 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents of Glenview Estate and the wider Tallaght, Dublin 24 community in respect of the failure to assign responsibility for the huge costs to clear the recently closed Glenview emergency halting site which was left in a deplorable condition; if his attention has further been drawn to the contention that it will cost ?100,000 to finally clear the site of rubbish and that this seriously affects the view of communities to sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15157/03]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

The emergency halting site at Kilsaran, Tallaght was opened in March 2001. South Dublin County Council agreed in the course of High Court proceedings at the time to have the site vacated within two years of its occupation and to provide alternative accommodation for the families involved. The last of the families left the site on 17 April 2003.

The dismantling of the site and the removal of any rubbish remaining on it are matters for South Dublin County Council. I understand that work has already commenced on the dismantling of the site. This involves the removal of concrete fence posts and other material and its reuse elsewhere. I understand that once this has been completed, the council will proceed to clear the site completely. The cost of the works involved will be borne by South Dublin County Council.

I hope that any problems associated with temporary or emergency sites would not militate against the provision of good quality, permanent accommodation for Travellers constructed to standards set out in guidelines issued by my Department and which, experience has shown, do not present the same management problems which can occur in temporary accommodation.