Vol. 508 No. 3
81 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of new halting sites for travellers constructed and opened in each local authority area since the passage of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/99]
Since the commencement of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, in September 1998, four halting sites in Meath, Kerry, Cork and Laois County Councils have been completed or extended. These provided 22 new bays and refurbished a further 28. At present, there are ten sites under construction or approved. These will provide 31 new bays and redevelop a further 48 bays.
Under the provisions of the Act all relevant housing authorities, i.e. county councils, county boroughs, borough corporations and Bray and Dundalk Urban District Councils, are preparing five year accommodation programmes which have to be adopted by 31 March 2000. However, pending the adoption of the programmes local authorities have been advised by my Department of the need to accelerate the provision of accommodation.
I would also like to add that the provision of halting sites is but one aspect of the accommodation provided by local authorities for travellers. My Department also provides funding for local authorities for the construction of group housing specially designed for groups of traveller families, while travellers are also provided with accommodation under the normal local authority housing programme.
