Traveller Community

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Questions (205)

Robert Dowds

Question:

205. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on funding for the Clondalkin Travellers' Development Group bicycle repair shed project, which was expected to have been delivered late last year; if this funding will still be provided, and if so, the date of same; and if it will not be provided, at what stage was it cancelled and the communication there was between her Department and the development group and-or the special initiative on Traveller enterprise in this regard. [7804/13]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Special Initiative for Travellers (SIT) provides support for practical approaches to redressing the imbalance in Traveller under-employment, to support Travellers already engaged in the Traveller economy and provides other supports, including for training, to address the needs of Travellers. Responsibility for the programmes transferred from FÁS to the Department of Social Protection on 1st January 2012.

The Department proposes to issue contracts in the coming weeks and I expect the contract with Clondalkin Travellers' Development Group will be concluded before the end of February. The overall provision for all contracts under the SIT in 2013 amounts to €750,000.