Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 6

Written Answers. - Traveller Halting Sites.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

93 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment if he will address the crisis in relation to halting site accommodation in the South Dublin County Council area following constraints imposed after a High Court decision; if his attention has been drawn to the number of illegal encampments in the local authority area; the amendments to current legislation, if any, he is considering assisting local authorities in general in addressing the difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11702/97]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

Returns from South Dublin County Council on the count of traveller families at 29 November 1996 indicate that 66 families were living on unofficial sites or on the roadside at that time; it is understood that the number has increased since then.

I have approved 100 per cent capital funding in the sum of £4 million for the redevelopment-refurbishment of 98 bays on halting sites in the county, work on which is under way or about to commence. I understand that the county council recently adopted the first phase of a five year traveller accommodation programme to provide further accommodation for travellers in its functional area. Adequate capital funding is available to local authorities for the provision of traveller accommodation, and any applications from South Dublin County Council for funding for accommodation under the programme will be considered by my Department as expeditiously as possible.

Proposals for new and amending legislation providing for a range of measures to facilitate the implementation of the national strategy for traveller accommodation were recently approved by the Government and the Bill is now being drafted. The proposals provide for requirements on local authorities to adopt and implement local five year accommodation programmes, and for improved powers for local authorities to control unauthorised temporary dwellings.