Dr. Conor Norton:

Funding is a critical issue and we have reported on funding over a number of years. The percentage spend is based on the Traveller accommodation programmes that have been prepared, for example, their estimated cost, etc.. Funding is based on that, and it is a circular process. There are issues with the methodology and identifying need. We are not suggesting, for example, that even the figures presented encompass the sort of demand that there might be. Those figures must be viewed as being indicative but they are very instructive with respect to the inconsistency in expenditure on the basis of Traveller accommodation programmes. It very much highlights issues with inconsistency in delivery. It is important in that regard.

Regarding Travellers' representation on SPCs, the emphasis has always been on LTACCs at local level. Our recommendation on governance is that the Traveller accommodation SPC would bring in the local representative. That governance would bring them closer to the decision-making of local authorities and then there should also be a direct connection to the local authority's own SPC on housing. The existing arrangements were constructed in the late 1990s on foot of the Act in 1998 but there was reform of local government in the early 2000s, which superseded that and created the SPC structure. We recommend a specific local Traveller accommodation SPC.