No more group housing schemes for Travellers

CLARE County Councillors have agreed not to proceed with the construction of any new permanent group housing schemes for Travellers and to continue excluding the provision of transient sites.
An amendment to the 2009 to 2013 Traveller Accommodation Programme was passed without a vote at a recent meeting. This was despite claims from Pavee Point the decision not to build any more Traveller dwellings in group schemes, which were identified in the 2009 to 2013 programme, was in breach of the 1998 Traveller Accommodation Act.
Martin Collins of Pavee Point has pledged to refer the approval of a new draft amendment to the council’s existing 2009 to 2013 Traveller Accommodation Programme to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.
The committee, which includes representatives from the Department of the Environment, oversees the implementation of the 1998 Traveller Accommodation Act by local authorities.
Traveller Accommodation Committee chairman, Councillor Brian Meaney, stated Travellers did not want to live in group schemes and noted other accommodation types are the preferred choice.
He said the decision was taken after a proper assessment and that if circumstances change, the council could decide to build more group housing schemes in 2014 when the current programme ended. The amendment, which was approved by the Strategic Policy Committee, was passed following a proposal by Councillor Meaney and support from SPC chairperson Councillor Patricia McCarthy.
Councillor Joe Arkins asked if there was any mechanism in the amended Traveller programme to deal with emergency accommodation for Travellers. He was supported by Councillor Johnny Flynn, who stressed it was important this provision be included and expressed his dissent if not the case.
County manager Tom Coughlan pointed out the adoption of any programme doesn’t exempt the need for the council to adhere to all national legislation. 
Clare County Council has stated that all of its 10 permanent group housing for Travellers built in the county to the highest standards at a capital cost of €20 million were complete with paths, public lighting, fire hydrants and green areas.
Seven of the 10 permanent group housing schemes consist exclusively of houses, while the other three comprise a mix of houses and serviced bay accommodation.