Ms Margaret Casey:

I thank Mr. Dillon. As regards the expert review group on Traveller accommodation in 2019, it made a recommendation on sharing the Cena model. We are working with approved housing bodies throughout Ireland. They want to work with us. We want to share our model of good practice in terms of the implementation of Traveller-specific accommodation to meet the needs of the Traveller community. It is important that we do so. Cena is in its infancy and has done so much in a short time. The Department promised it would work with us but, unfortunately, it has not delivered on that commitment. Other approved housing bodies have welcomed working with us because we all want to bring about solutions and change. Very good political parties in government want us to deliver solutions to the problems and crisis to which Mr. Collins and Mr. Dillon referred.

As regards our model of practice, we carried out an assessment of needs of Travellers throughout County Clare. It was done from the perspective of Travellers. We trained Travellers to carry out that assessment of needs. That is a model we would like to see rolled out throughout Ireland to deliver real change, bring solutions forward, deliver appropriate accommodation and meet the needs of the Traveller community.

Along with approved housing bodies throughout Ireland, we are considering the use of modular and sustainable homes, with a lifespan of 70 years or more, to bring solutions to the crisis through which the Traveller community is going.

We are working with a modular homes company that will design specific culturally-appropriate homes to meet the needs of the Traveller community. I always complain about the injustice against Travellers, no more than Martin Collins, the Cathaoirleach and many of the people here, but I very much also want to bring solutions to the table. It is okay to complain but with regard to Government policy, Cena has brought and will continue to bring solutions rather than headaches. We want to save the taxpayer an awful lot of money. We have created an awful lot of change so far in 13 counties. One of the practices we have developed is in County Galway, where we are living on the inside but yet on the outside. This is about Traveller-specific accommodation. We would like the support of the Department as we go forward.