Dessie Ellis (Dublin North-West, Sinn Fein)

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I have dealt with Mr. D'Arcy for many years over these issues. The big issue I see is resources.

We are always working in arrears. For example, Dublin City Council, DCC, has so many schemes on hand. St. Margaret's, Avila Park and many other schemes were identified many years ago but have still not been advanced. It is quite frustrating. I assume there is a similar problem in other areas. There is an issue around planning. The process seems to be dragged out for so long. It looks as though there are not enough resources within the Department or DCC. The situation with other councils may be similar in terms of people, be it architects, planners or whomever, looking at what is required. Obviously, maintenance is a big issue that I have dealt with many times.

On the caravan loan scheme, people who got loans previously are now coming back again because those loans only last ten years. Then there is the situation with second-hand caravans. I am curious as to how the council operates that scheme. Over the years, many families have come to me. It was a battle to get them onto the list again as the caravan got older. There are also people with disabilities who have to be taken into account.

There do not seem to be enough social workers. Some families are in need of extra things, such as more suitable caravans for people with disabilities. In the past, there were problems regarding people with mental health issues. This is where social workers can help to liaise with schools or whatever. Are we struggling, in the context of resources, to deliver that? Many families have said to me that their children go to school without having had a meal. We now have a situation where breakfast clubs are being pulled. Families in the Traveller community in certain areas often rely on that; it is not everywhere. It is a big problem in the context of social work. Do we make any representations on this?