asked the Taoiseach whether provision is made in the census forms for an accurate recording of the number of itinerants using our public highways as camping places, and, if so, if he will state (a) the number of such people as revealed in the most recent census, and (b) whether in relation to previous returns the number has increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Census of Itinerants.
In the household schedules used at the 1946 and 1956 Censuses of Population provision was made for the classification of families by type of residence, "Itinerant family" being one of the categories distinguished. The total number of persons in such families in May, 1946, was 5,554. Subsequent to the data of the 1956 Census it was decided on the grounds of economy to limit work on this census to the production of figures of population classified by sex and area. In consequence the figure for persons in itinerant families derivable from the 1956 Census is not available.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think from the information given that this is an urgent and serious problem? Is it not the fundamental duty of the Government to protect the property of the people and protect the people from undue annoyance by those itinerants and, since there is more or less a break down in the law as it relates to the control of those people, would he not consider setting up a Committee of this House and getting the views of those familiar with the type of life these itinerants lead and the nuisance they cause occasionally, in the hope of assisting the Department to finalise rapidly any proposals they consider for the more effective control of these people?
That is a matter which will be looked into.
Would the Taoiseach ensure that some members of the itinerant type are included on this committee as well? They would have something to say.