Éamon Ó Cuív raises alarm over freezing caravan residents

Éamon Ó Cuív warned that many travellers are living in freezing caravans and urged the Taoiseach to ensure replacement caravan loans before Christmas. He criticised the national caravan scheme's limit of 75 and said Galway needs 24 replacement caravans but was allocated only four.

Urgent appeal to the Taoiseach

He told the Taoiseach the temperature was forecast to fall to minus 4 degrees Celsius and that many travellers are living in freezing caravans or mobile homes, some of which are over 20 years of age. He called the conditions inhuman and degrading and urged immediate action to replace unsafe units before Christmas.

Allocation shortfall

He noted the national caravan scheme was recently extended nationally but capped at 75 caravans. Using Galway as an example, he said the county requires 24 replacement caravans but was allocated only four under the scheme.

Demand for immediate loans

He urged that each person who needs a replacement caravan be given a loan under the caravan loan scheme and insisted that the replacements be provided between now and Christmas, saying there can be no delay.

Government follow-up

The Taoiseach responded that he would follow up with the minister, acknowledged that a limit of 75 seems low if Galway received only four, and said he would engage urgently and speak to the deputy subsequently to obtain details.