An Leas-Chathaoirleach:

The Chair is due in a few minutes. We will start the meeting and the minute she comes in, I will vacate the Chair. I welcome everybody to the committee. We have received apologies from Deputy Mitchell and Senator Martin.

I have to read out a note on privilege, though it could probably be put to music at this stage. I remind members that they must be physically present within Leinster House in order to take part in public meetings. I will not allow a member to take part in this meeting if he or she is not in Leinster House. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting.

The evidence of witnesses physically present in Leinster House is protected by absolute privilege. Witnesses should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make, her or it identifiable. Witnesses must not engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. That is the short version. The witnesses know that if they are asked by the Chair to stop they have to stop, and all the rest.

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2023 were circulated and already approved in private session. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

The subject of this meeting is accommodation for Travellers. Accommodation is a very important issue for members of the Traveller community. It is so important and urgent that we decided to meet representatives of the Department and local authorities at the earliest possible opportunity. The report of the previous committee included a full chapter as well as 17 recommendations specifically on the subject of accommodation for Travellers. The committee looks forward to discussing which of these recommendations have been implemented and how we can ensure all members of the Traveller community can access accommodation that is aligned with the community's needs and takes account of Traveller culture and traditions. It is especially interested in the caravan loan scheme. The committee would like to review the policies for accommodation for Travellers as well as the implementation of same, including the legal framework and the funding provided. It would also like to hear of any legal, financial or other difficulties faced by the Department or local authorities when attempting to provide accommodation for Travellers.

I welcome our witnesses. I should say that I welcome them back as they appeared before the previous committee and the ad hocmonitoring group on key issues for Travellers. From the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage we have Ms Caroline Timmons, assistant secretary at the housing affordability, inclusion and homelessness division, Mr. Patrick O'Sullivan, principal officer at the social inclusion unit with responsibility for Traveller accommodation, and Ms Karen Murphy, assistant principal for Traveller accommodation in the social inclusion unit. From the County and City Management Association, CCMA, I welcome Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive of Fingal County Council, and Ms Sinéad Carr, director of housing at Tipperary County Council. I suggest we invite our witnesses to speak for about five minutes and then allow members to ask questions or make comments for another five minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I invite Ms Timmons to make her opening statement on behalf of the Department.