13 May 2013, 12:23
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and Gaeltacht will discuss housing of members of the Traveller Community by local authorities at its meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, 14th May 2013.
Officials from Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and representatives from Pavee Point Travellers’ Centre will address the Committee on the issue.
Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht Michael McCarthy TD said: “At our meeting on 30th April, the Committee noted recent assertions that around €50 million worth of funding specified by the Department of Environment for Traveller housing was not drawn down by Local Authorities since 2007. I believe it is important that local authorities spend any monies allocated to them for the provision of traveller accommodation and that the needs of members of the travelling community are dealt with quickly and efficiently. The members of my Committee are concerned that any under-spending is occurring and accordingly we will examine this issue tomorrow. At tomorrow's meeting we will have an opportunity to discuss the drawdown of allocations with various local authorities, as well as with a number of organisations representing the interests of members of the Travelling Community including Pavee Point Traveller’s Centre. I and my Committee are anxious to hear their perspectives on the matter and members will have a chance to raise any issues or concerns we have in relation to traveller accommodation.
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Tuesday 14th May 2013.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/
Media enquiries to:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie
Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).