Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 December 2013
104. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the acknowledged need for the redevelopment of Labre Park Traveller accommodation in Ballyfermot, which has been included in the past three Traveller accommodation programmes but never advanced, if he will meet all of the stakeholders to ensure the delivery of this long awaited redevelopment. [51984/13]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the planning and implementation of Traveller accommodation proposals is a matter for the relevant housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council.
The original proposals for the provision of 22 additional units of accommodation at Labre Park were submitted to my Department by the City Council in 2004. Following a detailed appraisal and consultation with the Council, my Department issued approval in principle to proceed with the scheme in 2008, subject to further clarification on a number of issues. However, the City Council subsequently advised that it was not possible to advance the scheme due to certain issues which had arisen on site. Revised proposals for the redevelopment of Labre Park were received from the Council in November 2012 . Following consideration of the proposals and discussions with the City Council, additional technical information and details of the estimated cost were requested in July 2013. This information has recently been received and is currently under examination in my Department. As soon as this work is concluded I will consider the potential to progress the scheme in 2014. I propose to defer any meeting with stakeholders until after this matter has been given further consideration by my Department.
