Traveller accommodation report
Deputy Adams asked when the Traveller accommodation expert group would report and also sought follow-up on support promised after the Carrickmines fire. The Minister of State said the report was expected by end of month or early May, and the Tánaiste said he would come back on the other matter.
The Traveller accommodation expert group was set up on foot of the programme for Government commitment. The European Committee of Social Rights has found this State is in violation of the European Social Charter on five grounds by failing to provide adequate Traveller accommodation. When will the expert group publish its report? The Tánaiste may also recall that immediately after the dreadful fire at Carrickmines in which ten people, including children, were killed, he took a meeting with me and promised the Government would give the family the support it required. Since then, I have been fighting an unsuccessful battle with a series of Ministers over the lack of support for the two surviving sons of Thomas and Sylvia Connors, who need help to get back and forth to school. Will the Tánaiste agree to get this sorted out?
Comment on this
We hope to have the report towards the end of this month or certainly early May. This is the scheduled time to receive the report. We will then discuss it at committee.
Comment on this
On the other question, will the Tánaiste give a commitment?