Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister stated that €1.4 million has been allocated to Spring Lane since 2015. I wonder how much of that ended up as an underspend. That is what has happened across the country. We have seen underspend on many projects relating to the Traveller community.

I was impressed by the resilience of the community on the halting site. They greeted us and brought us into their homes. Even though the conditions there were so bad, they were still in great spirits and very welcoming. The Minister of State mentioned the that the council is considering another site and that Part 8 has gone through, but I hope that is being done in proper consultation with all the people on Spring Lane and that no one is left out. I ask the Minister of State to ensure there is consultation. There are many issues happening in this situation. Young kids are missing out on education because of the conditions on the halting site. It is also giving rise to issues relating to mental health, as the Minister of State recognised.

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