I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 545, inclusive, together.
There is only one allocation of funding in the Justice and Equality Vote for Traveller Initiatives. The budget heading concerned was traditionally called "Equality Monitoring / Consultative Committees". In 2012 the budget heading was changed to "Traveller Initiatives".
The table below details the allocation and outturn for Traveller expenditure for each year and a breakdown of the areas of spending as requested by the Deputy.
-
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
Allocation
|
€1,710,000
|
€981,000
|
€481,000
|
€402,000
|
€430,000
|
Equality Monitoring
|
€100,000
|
€0
|
€0
|
€0
|
€0
|
Traveller participation/Communication
|
€108,717
|
€136,127
|
€25,236
|
€4,796
|
€21,197
|
National Traveller Monitoring Advisory Committee
|
€3,129
|
€12,561
|
€11,221
|
€9,252
|
€16,883
|
Mediation Services
|
€135,000
|
€135,000
|
€114,543
|
€70,734
|
€108,864
|
Traveller Interagency Fund
|
€963,154
|
€479,312
|
€227,000
|
€196,218
|
€99,056
|
Total Expenditure
|
€1,310,000
|
€763,000
|
€378,000
|
€281,000
|
€246,000
|
In addition, Government approved separate funding from the Dormant Accounts fund for Traveller initiatives in December 2008. This funding was for 15 projects, administered under the Traveller Interagency fund, and was drawn down as follows:
Year
|
Amount
|
2009
|
€375,001
|
2010
|
€526,919
|
2011
|
€208,742
|
Total
|
€1,110,662
|
The Traveller Interagency fund supported a total of 47 projects delivered through the Traveller Interagency Groups which are in place in each local authority area. This fund operated from 2006 until March 2012 and was administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal. Projects funded under the Traveller mediation services included Pavee Point Mediation Service, the Midlands Traveller Conflict and Mediation Initiative and individual mediators targeting specific problem areas. Projects funded under Traveller Participation/Communications included funding for Traveller Pride Week, support for the Voice of the Traveller Magazine and support for the Traveller counselling service.
The "Traveller Initiatives" budget heading has a provisional allocation of €405,000 for 2013.