Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to co-sign amendment No. 31 and support it. For too long we have seen Traveller accommodation not being delivered or delivered on unsuitable land. Sometimes it has been left to the end of allocation when almost every other purpose has been looked at before the land is allocated to Traveller accommodation. This is completely unacceptable. All of the things we look for in every community, including connectivity, good sanitation, access to amenities and access to education are crucial for the Traveller community. In anything that addresses public housing on a large scale it is important that there would be such a consideration. It may well be that the LDA can add value and look to co-operation between areas in that regard.

I support the amendment. If the amendment is accepted, that is great. If not, I may return with another amendment on Report Stage.

I wish to point out there are intersections between those in the Travelling community and those who have disabilities. Another thing that I will be talking about is appropriate accommodation for persons with disabilities within any large-scale master planning. We should recognise there may be overlap in those areas.