Mr. Bernard Joyce:

Obviously, social housing is means tested and people pay what are called differential rents. It is really important that a person's means be assessed in terms of what they can afford. I understand that, at the moment, there is some level of means testing within this, but we are also looking at the context whereby it should be means tested overall, between the rental for the bay and the rental for the caravan, and not added as an additional payment. The majority of Travellers are living under the poverty line, so having excessive costs associated with a home being replaced is not viable or conducive in the long term to any family. It would be important to ensure it was means tested and affordable and was done in conjunction with families, but at the moment that is not what we have. A scheme is being rolled out but we knew from the outset that it might not be fit for purpose.