Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. For those of us who represent constituencies with significant Traveller communities, we spend a lot of time working on exactly the issues that Ms Fay has outlined. We are well aware of them but it is important to have them on the record here.

I wish to express support for Traveller agencies, specifically in ensuring that local authorities meet their statutory obligations. Some local authorities have a better record than others. If we were to have such an agency, or if this committee were to recommend such a thing, it would be important to have a carrot and stick approach. Local authorities have this function and in an ideal situation they should get on with that job. Where they do not meet those functions within specific timelines, however, this agency would have the authority to step in. Through emergency powers already on the Statute Book - which, for example, the Minister used for planning and procurement in the rapid-builds in Poppintree - the agency and managers could go over the heads of a local authority and councillors where they do not meet their obligations. If it was done in that focused way, most local authorities would probably start moving much more quickly on fulfilling their own obligations. That is an argument that is almost beyond making at this stage.

I have a couple of questions. Given the level of need out there and the poor condition of many Traveller-specific sites of a range of types, if the budget was returned to €40 million, even phased in over a short period, would that be enough?

I know it is the minimum requirement but what are Pavee Point’s thoughts on this? As I work with many Travellers in the Dublin mid-west community, I know there is a section of the Traveller community which, by choice, wants to live in private rented or council accommodation. There are people who are left with no choice. However, there are those who want to make that choice too. I am acutely aware that this group is having particular difficulties with the current rental crisis. They are experiencing the rental crisis like everybody else, but the additional barriers they experience in seeking alternative accommodation are higher. Has Pavee Point any specific recommendation on this which the committee could examine?

The programme for Government contains 62 recommendations on housing, none of which relates to Travellers or Traveller accommodation. Will Pavee Point put on record its thoughts on this? While there are clearly broader issues such as health, etc, this committee's function is to make a report in a short time to the Dáil and to the Minister specifically on housing issues and to find ways of alleviating the most immediate housing needs of all sections of society, including those of Travellers.