21 Iúil 2021, 14:12
The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community will resume its discussion on access to housing and accommodation, including Traveller-specific accommodation, tomorrow, Thursday, 22 July at a meeting with representatives from the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. (IHREC).
The meeting will take place in Leinster House, Committee Room 4 at 12.30pm.
Representatives from FLAC: Sinéad Lucey, Managing Solicitor and Christopher McCann, Solicitor will appear before the Committee as it resumes its discussion on access to housing and accommodation including Traveller-specific accommodation.
Representatives from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner, Michael O’Neill, Head of Legal and Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh, Commission Member will appear before the Committee to discuss the IHREC’s recent Equality Reviews on the Provision of Traveller Accommodation by Local Authorities.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee Senator Eileen Flynn TD said: “The Free Legal Advice Centres has operated a Traveller Legal Service since early 2020. The Committee welcomes this opportunity to hear about this service and FLAC’s work and expert legal opinion on housing law issues concerning the Traveller community including failures to provide Traveller specific accommodation.
“The Committee is also delighted to welcome representatives from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to discuss the findings and recommendations made in the Equality Reviews on the Provision of Traveller Accommodation by Local Authorities which were published earlier this month. The Commission launched these equality reviews in 2019 after strong evidence showed a consistent underspend of the Traveller-specific accommodation budget. Between 2008 and 2018, 35 per cent of resources allocated to the local authorities for Traveller-specific accommodation was not drawn down.”
Watch the meeting live.