Ms Sinéad Carr:

This is probably my favourite topic at this stage. I think most of the sector would have issues around the definition of what is "culturally appropriate". There is no clear clarification as to what people understand. It is understood as different things by different people. This puts a local authority in a very difficult position when trying to deliver a particular unit. There is a gap between what is going to be funded and what is interpreted as culturally appropriate. I understand work is being done by the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and the programme board to clarify that. That will really help.

We need to be able to manage expectations of what is capable of being funded and what is not possible. I understand there are a number of families - and I have some in my county - where engagement with the equine side of things is particularly important. If we are to accommodate equines and horses as part of our overall Traveller accommodation, we will be looking at a minimum of one and half acres per animal. We would then have to look at waste disposal and other aspects in this regard. If we are talking about culturally appropriate accommodation, there is far more involved than just building four walls and a roof. A serious look must be given to whether this is appropriate.