Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Returning the voids to use and getting people into those homes is important. It is awful to see a house boarded up or lying idle. On the theme of housing in Clare, I raise the issue of Traveller accommodation.

The issue of Traveller accommodation has received a great deal of coverage in recent months. At times, the media and many people round on the local authorities and criticise them in that regard. I want to put that in context in County Clare. Fifty per cent of the homeless people in Clare are Traveller families. This area is hugely resource-intensive and the council has been seeking the assistance of the Department by way of submissions for funding, in particular for a housing welfare manager to oversee the homeless action team. I hope the Minister will consider that. He knows this sector well. It is resource-intensive and without the right supports it flounders. Building houses is one response. Addressing the plethora of issues in terms of sifting through applicants and drilling down into their familial issues requires resourcing. I hope the Minister will make some positive announcements in that regard very shortly.

See this speech in context