Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his contribution, which I appreciate is a very genuine one, on the challenges we face in this area. The programme board was established towards the end of March, so we are talking about a six-month period. I have told the board I would like to see timelines in respect of each of the actions it has taken off for their first round of implementation, which is about 56% of all the recommendations. In the first instance, my view was that if I were to set up an independent committee with an independent chair and a number of very eminent people within the Traveller community to drive forward this programme of work, I would not want to dictate to them how to do their business. I will get an update on each of the recommendations. I would have no issue circulating that to the committee and its members for their perusal in order that they might see the work that is ongoing and the progress that is being made. I am very clear when I attend meetings with the board about any support it needs or blockages it encounters as it goes through each of the recommendations.

The report of the Ombudsman for Children is very disturbing. Senator Boyhan is absolutely right about that when he talks about cherishing all children equally. That is why we have had a huge amount of engagement with the particular local authority. We have had monthly meetings. I have been down there, been on site, spoken to all those families and asked them what their particular needs are. One of the biggest frustrations I have had since entering this role is the lack of data. There are 10,800-odd Traveller families. Approximately 80% of them are in standard accommodation, with different funding streams from the State underwriting their tenancies. Then there is a smaller proportion, potentially less than 5%, whose needs are the most acute, with many living on unauthorised sites. We have commissioned 250 audits in 2021 to try to upgrade the conditions in which they are living and ensure that this provides a better quality of life for them. I accept that it has been talked about over a number of years, but I will specifically raise Senator Boyhan's point about the agency with the programme board. It is responding specifically to the 32 recommendations contained in the expert group review, and the energy is focused on resolving those blockages. In turn, our hope is that we will see more and better quality accommodation for our Traveller community.