COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2018

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014-2018 for this County, highlighting successes and indicating challenges faced; and to make a statement on progress to date by SDCC in supporting the Traveller Culture and economy.

REPLY:

The Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014-2018 planned accommodation for 96 families in accordance with the Assessment of Needs Survey carried out in 2013. It set out to provide for appropriate options such as Group Housing and Bays in Residential Caravan Parks as well as access to Standard Council Housing.  The Programme identified accommodation provision in three separate sections:

1. New Developments: To provide accommodation at greenfield sites at identified locations;

2. Redevelopments: To redevelop temporary sites or to provide for Group Housing options instead of bays at St. Aidans, Belgard Road and Oldcastle Park;

3. Infill Developments: To create extra bays at locations where family numbers dictate there may be future requirements.

Since the beginning of the current programme three Group Houses have been completed at Belgard Road and a further 7 families were accommodated in Social Housing. The five new group houses at St. Aidan's referred to above are now practically complete and will be allocated imminently.  In addition three families were provided with chalet type accommodation on Medical grounds.

Work has now commenced on the new Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024 and an Assessment of Needs to inform the programme will shortly be carried out. 

The Council continues to support Traveller Pride weeks in both the Tallaght and Clondalkin areas as well supporting Crosscare Family Day and the Travelling Culture Schools Programme with initiatives such as these providing the opportunity for local Travellers to positively promote their culture in conjunction with a range of support agencies.