14/02/2019
44% Traveller Accommodation Budget Underspend 'Unacceptable'
A 44% underspend in the traveller accommodation budget in 2018 has been described as "unacceptable", by Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin.
Deputy Ó Broin called on the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy to explain "why he is allowing this repeated underspend to occur on his watch".
Deputy Ó Broin said: "The 2018 social housing delivery figures released yesterday indicated that 107 homes were provided under the Traveller Accommodation Programme at a cost of €6.8m.
"This is simply not good enough when you consider that the Traveller Accommodation Budget for 2018 was €12m. This represents an underspend of 44%.
"There was a similar underspend in 2017. Only €4.8m was spent out of a total allocation of €8.7m. The failure to deliver good quality traveller specific accommodation is unfortunately how we end up with tragedies like Carrickmines.
"While Sinn Féin welcomes the establishment of the working group that is reviewing the traveller accommodation programmes, Minister Murphy must explain why he is allowing this repeated underspend to occur on his watch and must take action now to ensure there is not a similar underspend in 2019.
"He must engage with the local authorities that are failing to invest in traveller accommodation and must intervene directly where they refuse to adequately fund traveller accommodation."
Deputy Ó Broin called on the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy to explain "why he is allowing this repeated underspend to occur on his watch".
Deputy Ó Broin said: "The 2018 social housing delivery figures released yesterday indicated that 107 homes were provided under the Traveller Accommodation Programme at a cost of €6.8m.
"This is simply not good enough when you consider that the Traveller Accommodation Budget for 2018 was €12m. This represents an underspend of 44%.
"There was a similar underspend in 2017. Only €4.8m was spent out of a total allocation of €8.7m. The failure to deliver good quality traveller specific accommodation is unfortunately how we end up with tragedies like Carrickmines.
"While Sinn Féin welcomes the establishment of the working group that is reviewing the traveller accommodation programmes, Minister Murphy must explain why he is allowing this repeated underspend to occur on his watch and must take action now to ensure there is not a similar underspend in 2019.
"He must engage with the local authorities that are failing to invest in traveller accommodation and must intervene directly where they refuse to adequately fund traveller accommodation."
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 January 2020
Man Charged Over 2018 Shop Burglary
A man facing charges relating to the burglary of a shop in Limerick in May 2018 was due in court this morning, Thursday 16 January. Gardaí arrested the suspect, aged in his 30s, following the incident in Cloonreask, Askeaton, Co Limerick on 03 May 2018. A safe was removed from the business premises by suspects during the burglary.
Man Charged Over 2018 Shop Burglary
A man facing charges relating to the burglary of a shop in Limerick in May 2018 was due in court this morning, Thursday 16 January. Gardaí arrested the suspect, aged in his 30s, following the incident in Cloonreask, Askeaton, Co Limerick on 03 May 2018. A safe was removed from the business premises by suspects during the burglary.
14 January 2014
Council Votes In Favour Of Traveller Accommodation Sites
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has agreed a proposal to build Traveller accommodation sites. Sixteen Councillors voted in favour of the draft Traveller accommodation plan, which makes provisions for 11 sites across the south Dublin area. Ten Councillors voted against the proposal.
Council Votes In Favour Of Traveller Accommodation Sites
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has agreed a proposal to build Traveller accommodation sites. Sixteen Councillors voted in favour of the draft Traveller accommodation plan, which makes provisions for 11 sites across the south Dublin area. Ten Councillors voted against the proposal.
03 December 2019
CSO Publishes 2018 Crime Detection Figures
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published crime detection figures for the first time in four years. The figures are relating to 2018, with detection rates for murder incidents at 72%. Detection of controlled drug offences represent a high of 85%, while sexual offence detection remained low at just 11%.
CSO Publishes 2018 Crime Detection Figures
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published crime detection figures for the first time in four years. The figures are relating to 2018, with detection rates for murder incidents at 72%. Detection of controlled drug offences represent a high of 85%, while sexual offence detection remained low at just 11%.
14 June 2017
New National Traveller And Roma Inclusion Strategy Launched
The new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 has been launched by the Minister for Justice David Stanton. The development of the Strategy involved a comprehensive public consultation process, including two rounds of public meetings and engagement with Travellers organisations at national level.
New National Traveller And Roma Inclusion Strategy Launched
The new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 has been launched by the Minister for Justice David Stanton. The development of the Strategy involved a comprehensive public consultation process, including two rounds of public meetings and engagement with Travellers organisations at national level.
25 February 2013
Traveller Accommodation Funding Regular Unclaimed
Some €50m allocated to local councils by the Department of the Environment to providing Traveller housing has gone unclaimed. As campaigners warn a policy of assimilation is killing off Traveller culture, Minister of State for Housing Jan O’Sullivan said the consistent underspending “needs to be addressed”.
Traveller Accommodation Funding Regular Unclaimed
Some €50m allocated to local councils by the Department of the Environment to providing Traveller housing has gone unclaimed. As campaigners warn a policy of assimilation is killing off Traveller culture, Minister of State for Housing Jan O’Sullivan said the consistent underspending “needs to be addressed”.