Dick Spring
Ceist:42 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the action taken by his Department to provide suitable halting sites and accommodation for travellers.
Written Answers. - Accommodation for Travellers.
The accommodation needs of travellers features prominently in A Plan for Social Housing published in February last. Since then, I have again urged on housing authorities the need for a more determined effort in relation to this matter. Housing authorities were directed to make, in conjunction with their latest assessment of housing needs, which includes the needs of travellers for houses, an assessment of the need for the provision of serviced halting sites at 31 March 1991. The authorities have also been instructed that, as soon as these assessments have been completed, they should, as a matter of high priority, draw up clearly defined sets of proposals to meet the indentified needs.
To ensure better monitoring of the overall accommodation programme, a system of quarterly reports on progress in the provision of accommodation for travellers has been instituted.
Funding for the provision by local authorities of serviced caravan parks for travellers has been readily available. The allocation for 1991 is £3 million and this level of assistance will be maintained and, if necessary, increased in the future.
About 60 social workers are employed by local authorities and certain other bodies in connection with the accommodation of travellers. My Department recoup 90 per cent of their salaries and incidental expenses; almost £1 million per annum has been provided for this purpose in recent years.