Mr. Patrick O'Sullivan:

That is not what I said at all. I said that while the local responsibility lies at a local level, the Department is responsible for the broader funding and legislative framework. We engage through the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee in bringing it together at a national level.

With regard to staff employed by the local authority, staff are employed by the local authority. That is a matter for local authorities. People can apply for jobs through the local authority.