Éamon Ó Cuív demands shelter for Travellers amid freezing cold
Éamon Ó Cuív raised the plight of Traveller families forced to sleep in old caravans and mobile homes during sub-zero temperatures and criticised the slow pace of provision under the National Traveller Specific Caravan Loan Scheme. He demanded an assurance that funding would be made available so all families in need receive decent shelter and proper accommodation.
National scheme and allocation
The National Traveller Specific Caravan Loan Scheme was extended but only to 75 caravans, a figure highlighted by Ó Cuív as insufficient. He noted that in his own constituency the need is 26 caravans while the allocation is only four.
Local need and projected timescale
Ó Cuív said that at the current rate of provision it would take six years to supply the caravans required for those in need. He pressed the matter as urgent given recent temperatures that have fallen considerably below zero.
Funding and procurement uncertainties
Ó Cuív asked for an assurance that money would be made available to provide decent shelter for everybody who needs it. The minister responding said they would follow up with Minister O'Brien but expressed uncertainty about how quickly new caravans could be procured and made available even if funding were provided.
Requests to ministers and follow-up
Ó Cuív repeatedly sought confirmation that traveller families would be afforded proper accommodation forthwith and stressed the need for people to be safe, warm and comfortable in very cold weather. The issue was referred for follow-up with Minister O'Brien for further action.
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As you know temperatures have fallen considerably below zero in the last week. Now can you visualise the situation of people who are forced to sleep in old caravans and mobile homes? I raised this issue last week but every night that goes by I have to say that it strikes me of just how bad this situation is sleeping in these mobile and caravans. Now the National Traveller Specific Caravan Loan Scheme was extended but only to 75 caravans. In my own constituency we need 26, we are allocated four. To provide these people with caravans will take six years at this rate. Will you give me an assurance today that the money will be made available to provide everybody who needs decent shelter in this country with that decent shelter and that all of these traveller families will be afforded proper accommodation forthwith? Thank you, Deputy O'Brien. I want to acknowledge your interest in this issue and ensure that there is proper traveller accommodation in place around the country. I will follow-up on this issue with Minister O'Brien. I am not sure, however, how quickly new caravans can be procured and made available if the funding is provided. We will see what we can do. We absolutely want people to be safe. and warm and comfortable in this very, very, very cold weather. We will follow-up on this issue with Minister O'Brien. Mr O'Brien. I will follow up on this issue, Mr O'Brien. I will follow up on this issue with Minister O'Brien. I am not sure, however, how quickly new caravans can be procured and made available if the funding is provided. We will see what we can do. We absolutely want people to be safe and warm and comfortable in this very, very cold weather. We will follow up on the issue with Minister O'Brien. You
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