Eileen Flynn (Independent)
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I thank Ms O'Donoghue. I know about this from the work we do and from the National Traveller Women's Forum, which is doing its best to get Traveller women access to refuges if needs be, including providing locations of refuges. This is not to say that Ms O'Donoghue is wrong. Far from it, but I think that Clúid Housing has taken over some sites and there is some good practice with the likes of Clúid Housing. When it comes to local authorities, speaking as a professional community development worker who has worked on the ground with Travellers, I have seen very little good practice, but I have seen barriers that Travellers have to face daily when it comes to accommodation. The proof is in the pudding. We have had these Traveller accommodation programmes for decades and they have not worked. That needs to change.

The witnesses talked about maintenance. I think it is a critical question. I should not say this because I am Chair of the committee. It is a bit like having a radiator fixed, signing a form, then the radiator breaking because good quality materials are not put into Traveller accommodation in my experience of living on a halting site. I would like if the witnesses could touch on maintenance because it is so important. I have seen cases where new windows are needed because they are years old, then another is needed next year, because it is such poor quality. That is expected in Traveller accommodation.

Would any of the witnesses like to answer the Deputy's question on maintenance?