Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community to discuss accommodation matters with Irish Traveller Movement

Speaking ahead of the meeting at 10:30am in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House, Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Eileen Flynn said: “We look forward to continuing our examination of policy matters concerning accommodation for the Traveller community.

“Having met with representatives of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as well as the County and City Management Association, we wish to hear directly from representatives of the Traveller community to get their views on the developments that have occurred since the publication of the final report of the previous Committee.

“Homelessness and the lack of good-quality accommodation remain huge issues for the Traveller community. It is essential to consult with organisations such as the Irish Traveller Movement as we try to address these issues through our work.

“In addition to this, the Committee is particularly interested in discussing the Caravan Loan Scheme and assessing how it is being operated at present and how it could be improved upon. It is imperative that the Traveller community has access to quality accommodation.”

The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community (2023) has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad. The Committee was re-established in June 2023 to continue the work of the previous Committee, whose final report can be found here.

The meeting in Committee Room 2 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.