Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our speakers. I tabled a parliamentary question on funding for Travellers and I received a reply yesterday which may be of assistance. It indicates that the allocation for 2016 is €5.5 million, which is an increase of €1.2 million on the 2015 allocation. Obviously, that is a positive development. I requested details for each local authority from 2013 onward so the figures are up to date. The reply indicates that a significant number of counties do not seem to have applied for funding, which is a matter of concern. If we have a national plan for assisting in Traveller accommodation, then I presume individual counties must have plans and they would obviously place a demand on the Exchequer each year. If that is not happening despite the fact that there are Travellers within each of those communities, then it is a serious matter.

I apologise for the interference from my phone. Those present will understand why I have it with me. However, that is not the call I was expecting. I notice people are laughing. It is no laughing matter.

It appears that counties are not applying. We need to get the facts. It may not be a matter for us but I am of the view that the committee should insist that someone should have oversight in respect of every county with a plan. It may not be a matter for this committee, given the limited time available. However, it is not acceptable that Traveller accommodation needs are not being met at all in some counties despite the fact that there is an obligation to make provision for those needs.

I wish to address another issue raised by the deputation. I live in County Louth. I was a member of Louth County Council in the past but I am not now. When the county council in Louth moved to evict Travellers from an illegal site, no prior notice was given and there was no opportunity to intervene and make the point the deputation has made. I fully support the point that there should be no evictions unless and until there is a proper acceptable place for people to go. That is key. I would make one proviso, however. The local authority had to spend approximately €100,000 on the removal of waste from the site in question in Dundalk. That is a major cost. I have to acknowledge that this is an issue the council should not have to deal with. There is an issue here as well, but I am not lecturing or preaching. I support what the representatives from Pavee Point said. There should be no evictions unless we have a better place to put people. That is critical. I believe this would create security of tenure, even if the places are not up to standard, and obviously these places are not. In any event, we should not move people until we have somewhere decent for them to go. This is a fundamental human rights issue and we must address it. No local authority should move against Travellers without notifying all elected representatives in the area in advance in order that we might have an opportunity to bring things to the notice of the authority or to make representations.

They are human beings. There are children involved and they have basic human rights.