Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community (2023) publishes Report on the Trailer Loan Scheme

Launching the report, Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Eileen Flynn said: “Good, safe and warm accommodation forms the basis of a healthy and happy life. Throughout the Committee’s examination of this topic, we have become even more convinced that those who cannot access decent accommodation experience stark consequences in respect of their health, their ability to participate in education or work and their experience of the justice system.

“Members of the Traveller community – whether they choose to reside in culturally appropriate accommodation or standard accommodation – are entitled to an energy-efficient home of a good standard.

The Committee has found that the Caravan Loan Scheme, as it is currently operated, falls well short of this goal. We have seen evidence that shows that the vast majority of trailers obtained under this Scheme are second-hand. The loans provided under the Scheme are insufficient and, as a result, trailers do not meet the standards of energy efficiency or quality to ensure that the families who live in them can heat their homes and live comfortable lives.

“For this reason, the Committee calls for an increase to the loan amount available under the scheme to allow them to purchase a trailer of a minimum BS3632 standard. In addition, the Committee reiterates the call of the previous Committee that an audit of all trailers be undertaken, and all defective units replaced with new ones of a minimum BS3632 standard.”

The key recommendations of the Committee are:

• All substandard trailers on local authority sites be audited – taking account of the trailer’s condition and suitability for family size – and that all substandard trailers be replaced by new trailers of a high standard;
• A Trailer Rental Scheme be provided on a permanent basis, that funding is provided to all local authorities to provide for rental and loan schemes and that both options are available to the Traveller community;
• The Caravan Loan Scheme be renamed the Trailer Loan Scheme (to reflect culturally appropriate language) and that the maximum loan amount provided under the scheme is increased to ensure that brand new, high-quality and energy efficient units can be purchased;
• Other forms of permanent housing such as chalets or modular homes be included in the terms of a proposed Trailer Rental Scheme and an updated Trailer Loan Scheme;
• All trailers over seven years old would automatically be replaced as this is considered the lifespan of such trailers for 365 day of the year occupation;
• Costings for trailers would include all ancillary costs including installation, fire safe steps and ramps, civil works and fire safety and utility connection costs.

Senator Flynn said: “The Committee would like to thank the witnesses who attended public meetings of the Committee and informed our work. In particular, we would like to thank those members of the Traveller community and those advocates who work to advance the rights of Travellers. On behalf of the Committee, I would also like to commend the Traveller community who continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of deprivation and poor living conditions on sites.”

The Joint Committee’s Report on the Trailer Loan Scheme is available on the Oireachtas website.

The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community (2023) has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad. The Committee was re-established in June 2023 to continue the work of the previous Committee, whose final report can be found here.