Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

He was quite clear at the outset of his tenure to ensure that local authorities drew down all of their moneys for Traveller accommodation. The Deputy may recall, historically, there had been an underspend in many local authorities. All local authorities, under the Traveller accommodation programme, need to draw down their moneys and spend their allocations. Many Travellers, particularly younger Travellers, are moving into private accommodation and into different types of accommodation. That is also recognised. Specifically in relation to this, I will go back to the Minister and the Department about moving this scheme from a pilot to an enduring scheme. As both Deputies pointed out, there is a need for families to have an enduring scheme that would support them moving into the good-quality mobile homes they want to live in. I have been in many of them and they are comfortable and fantastic when families get them. It transforms quality of life for children in particular, as well as the whole family. We will go back to the Department and if there is an issue, which the Deputies are clearly saying there is, local authorities need to be proactive and the scheme needs to move from a pilot scheme to an enduring scheme. We should give consideration to that.

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