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Press Release - An Taoiseach, make all your socialist dreams come true this Christmas
03/12/05
One Year ago An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in an Irish Times Article stated that he was a socialist leader. Within this article he raised the issue of Traveller accommodation on more than one occasion. The Irish Traveller Movement along with the other national and local Traveller organisations around the country are asking An Taoiseach to realise his socialist dreams and commit to the delivery of Traveller accommodation.
On Monday 5th December in Buswells hotel at 2pm Traveller organisations will be holding a press conference entitled Broken Promises and will be requesting a meeting with An Taoiseach to discuss the lack of implementation of Traveller Accommodation programmes.
In 1999 each Local Authority had to develop plans under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, to accommodate all Travellers in need of accommodation within their functional areas. Only one third of this accommodation was provided.
Over 600 families are forced to live on the roadside without even the very basic facilities, as another Christmas approaches.
In 2005 Travellers are still living in this, our wealthy country, without basic services such as water, toilets and electricity. This is no longer acceptable.
Said Claire Davey, Accommodation Officer with the ITM
This Government have agreed to strengthen powers at a national level. Traveller organisations have developed concrete proposals that would remedy the lack of implementation, but to date there has been no official response to these proposals. The National Traveller organisations are urgently seeking a meeting with the Taoiseach to ensure that any new powers at a National level will be capable of delivering culturally appropriate Traveller Accommodation Programmes within the specified time.
In 1995 the Task Force on the Travelling community estimated a need for 2,200 units of Traveller specific accommodation, only 295 units have been delivered.
This is a ridiculous situation, we have legislation but dont have the political will to make sure that it is implemented
Added Martin Collins, Assistant Director with Pavee Point.
The press conference will also highlight the conditions that Traveller families find themselves living in, through no choice of their own.
Health and safety issues on official and unofficial accommodation are of huge concern to the Traveller Movement and should be to the government. Some Traveller families are still living without electricity and hot water on sites where they pay rent. This can no longer be acceptable. Some local authorities are well aware of these conditions and continue to do nothing about it.
Is Bertie Ahern really serious about being a socialist, with people living in these third world conditions under his nose? We have a situation in this country where Travellers are allowed let live in these conditions because they are Travellers!
Said Maria Joyce of the National Traveller Womens Forum.
Bob Jordan from Threshold National Housing organisation will also be present at the press conference in solidarity with the Traveller organisations. Threshold was founded in 1978 and is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to secure a right to housing & accommodation, particularly for those experiencing poverty and exclusion.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Claire Davey 087 9553560