Reduced housing plan for Travellers criticised

ONLY 172 Traveller accommodation places will be built next year — around half the number provided last year. Just 15 local authorities will provide some sort of Traveller accommodation in 2003, while some of the largest county councils will build nothing at all.

Cork Co Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council and Donegal Co Council are among those with no plans to construct any places next year. The figures from the Department of the Environment show how the Government is failing miserably to deliver on its halting site plans.

All local authorities are legally required to have a five-year Traveller accommodation programme under the 1998 Housing Act.