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Traveller Accommodation Programme for 2005-2008

  1. Introduction
  2. Policy
  3. Assessment of Need
  4. Accommodation Programme
  5. Strategy
  6. Partnership Approach

  1. Introduction

    1. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has directed relevant local authorities to prepare and adopt a new Traveller Accommodation Programme for 2005-2008 under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, l998. The current programme expired at the end of 2004. The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998 places a statutory obligation on the Clare County Council in relation to, inter alia, the following:
      • To prepare and adopt a Traveller Accommodation Programme, subject to periodic review, to meet the existing and projected need of travellers in the county.
      • To provide for a public notification and consultation process in respect of the preparation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme including an opportunity to comment on draft programmes.
      • To take reasonable steps to secure the implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme in the county.
      • Section 7 of the Act requires each relevant housing authority to adopt a Traveller Accommodation Programme by a date specified by the Minister. The Minister has specified 30th April, 2005 as the date by which an accommodation programme must be adopted and this programme will cover the period 2005– 2008.

  2. Policy

    1. The Council’s policy in relation to the provision of Traveller Accommodation has been clearly set out in the draft County Development Plan. This policy, as set out below, forms the basis of the Council’s Traveller Accommodation Programme for the period 2005– 2008.
    2. The Planning Authority recognises the specific requirements of the travelling community regarding the provision of accommodation and other facilities. It also recognises its function in the provision of such facilities and recognises the impact which such facilities can have in the amenities of residential and other developments. In order to address these issues in a balanced manner, the policy establishes a series of appropriate criteria for the provision of traveller accommodation. This is in accordance with the County Development Plan, 1999 and the Traveller Accommodation Programme for County Clare 2000-2004 which was adopted in February 2000.
      In deciding the location of individual group housing serviced sites and mixed developments, the council will have regard to the following:
      • The range of alternative development sites available;
      • The need for the occupants of the developments to have convenient access to social, community and commercial services;
      • The nature of the development proposed;
      • The impact on the amenity of adjacent areas, having regard to the nature of such areas;
      • The degree to which such impacts can be mitigated;
      • Traffic safety considerations, particularly the need to protect adequate access from the main road system;
      • The availability of water and waste water facilities;
      • The implications of the development for conservation of the natural and built heritage;
      • Public health considerations;
      • The need to provide facilities appropriate to the traveller way of life;
      • The need for serviced sites to be located a reasonable distance from existing dwellings;
      • To achieve an appropriate balance of traveller families and settled families.

      The Planning Authority will zone land for traveller accommodation in accordance with the Traveller Accommodation Programme and provide policies for their development in Local Area Plans.

    3. It is the Council's policy to provide non-transient accommodation only for the county's indigenous travelling community. For this purpose the Council will only regard a Traveller household as "indigenous" where the household has been permanently resident in the county for at least three years.
    4. It is the Council’s policy that the number of families to be accommodated in residential sites be not more than 6.
    5. It is the Council’s policy that the number of families to be accommodated in emergency sites be not more than 10.
    6. There is no recorded need for a transient site during the course of the assessment of need for this programme. The Council does not propose making provision for transient sites in the county at this time. A clear understanding and definition as to what is meant by the word “transient” does not seem to exist and this issue has been referred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for clarification. In 2002, this matter was discussed with officials from Tipperary (NR) County Council, Limerick County Council and Limerick City Council and referred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for clarification and guidance. It is the Council’s view that the provision of transient accommodation should be implemented on a national basis using regional structures. Consequently the issue of transient accommodation is not dealt with in the context of the preparation of this Traveller Accommodation Programme. However if transient facilities e.g. municipal caravan parks are provided, these facilities should not be regarded as traveller specific and therefore are not an objective of this Traveller Accommodation Programme.
    7. It is the Council’s policy to levy charges on tenants/occupants of all Traveller
      specific accommodation facilities. The scale of charges to be levied will be revised on an annual basis in conjunction with the annual review of the Council’s Differential Rent Scheme. However, the rent calculated under the Differential Rent Scheme in respect of traveller specific houses in group schemes will be reduced by 25% as these houses are not available to be purchased under a Tenant Purchase Scheme. The rent calculated in respect of bays in permanent halting sites will be reduced by 50% to reflect the type of facility provided. It is the Council’s objective to encourage and promote the provision of privately owned traveller specific accommodation facilities and voluntary housing schemes.

  3. Assessment of Need

    1. A comprehensive assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers took place in September, 2004 which indicates the following:

      Accommodation Type: Standard Local Authority Housing Rented


      Table 1: Permanent Accommodation Provided to date
      Accommodation Type / Area No. of Families Accommodated
      Standard Local Authority Housing Rented - Ennis 21
      Standard Local Authority Housing Rented - Clarecastle 2
      Standard Local Authority Housing Rented - Shannon 5
      Standard Local Authority Housing Rented - Corofin 1
      Standard Local Authority Housing Rented - Quin 1
      Standard Local Authority Housing Rented - Newmarket-On-Fergus 1
      Total Standard Local Authority Housing Rented 31
      Standard Local Authority Tenant Purchased - Ennis 15
      Standard Local Authority Tenant Purchased - Shannon 1
      Standard Local Authority Tenant Purchased - Ballygriffey 1
      Total Standard Local Authority Tenant Purchased 17
      Shared Ownership Scheme - Ennis 11
      Shared Ownership Scheme - Shannon 1
      Shared Ownership Scheme - Corofin 1
      Total Shared Ownership Scheme 13
      Group Housing - Watery Road 6
      Group Housing - Ashline 4
      Group Housing - Ballymurtagh 3
      Group Housing - Ballymaley 2
      Group Housing - Deerpark 6
      Group Housing - Beechpark 3
      Group Housing - Ballaghafadda 6
      Total Group Housing 30
      Bays in Group Schemes - Ballymurtagh 6
      Bays in Group Schemes - Ballymaley 4
      Bays in Group Schemes - Beechpark 3
      Total Bays in Group Schemes 13
      Permanent Accommodation from own Resources 2
      Overall Total 106


      Table 2: Families in need of Permanent Accommodation
      Location No. of Families
      Glenina Temporary Emergency Site 8
      Ennis & Environs 38
      Kilrush 1
      Ennistymon 12
      Shannon 5
      Total 64


      Table 3a : Accommodation Preference of 64 Families Assessed as Being in Need
        Standard LA Housing Group Housing Halting Site Total
      Ennis & Environs 29 14 3 46
      Shannon 2 2 1 5
      Ennistymon & Environs 1 11 0 12
      Kilrush Area 1 0 0 1
      Sub Total 33 27 4 64


      Table 3b : Anticipated Accommodation Preferences of the Projected 24 New Family Units
        Standard LA Housing Group Housing Halting Site Total
      Ennis & Environs 16 0 0 16
      Ennistymon & Environs 1 4 0 5
      Shannon 0 3 0 3
      Sub Total 17 7 0 24
      Overall Total 50 34 4 88


    2. It has been established from this census/assessment that 64 indigenous Traveller families are in immediate need of permanent accommodation.
    3. Cognisance was also taken of the projected Traveller population increase and to new household formations over the next five years. It is difficult to be absolutely accurate in attempting to predict the number of new family formations during the period 2005-2008. Taking into consideration the age profile of existing Travellers and the rate of new family formations in the County, it is projected that an additional 24 (6 marriages per year) families will require accommodation. Overall, 88 families will require permanent accommodation during the lifetime of the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008.
    4. It is expected that newly formed traveller households will make suitable arrangements for their accommodation pending the provision of accommodation by the local authority. In any event the unauthorised parking of caravans will not be tolerated by the Council as the practice has a negative effect on the implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme.
    5. The information gained from the assessment is dynamic and by its very nature ever changing. It is impossible to predict with certainty the actual level of household formations and the extent to which households formed from the indigenous population will immediately settle in the Council’s functional area. Arising from this the number of units and range of accommodation required will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

  4. Accommodation Programme

    1. Range of Accommodation

      The provision of traveller specific accommodation is that which is designed around the existing needs of Travellers. Within this category there are options for:-
      • Group Housing Schemes
      • Permanent Serviced Sites
      • A combination of Group Housing and Permanent Serviced Sites
      • Voluntary Housing Schemes

      Surveys carried out by the Council with regard to the provision of Traveller specific accommodation established the preference for accommodation types to be as follows:-
      1. Group Housing Schemes/Serviced Sites
      2. Local Authority Housing/Voluntary Housing

      The standard housing approach provides for the inclusion of Travellers in main stream housing programmes by accommodating Travellers in local authority estates. The Council’s policy of accommodating Travellers who satisfy the criteria for local authority housing will continue.

      The Council will generally endeavour to accommodate one Traveller family in a grouping of ten local authority rented houses and give due consideration to proportionality throughout the county, subject to the interests of proper estate management. This will allow for the ongoing integration of Traveller families into standard housing. The Council will promote a progression from Traveller specific accommodation to standard housing where appropriate and where the family so desires. This will also serve to minimise the number of Traveller specific sites required in the future. The other implementing authorities i.e. Ennis Town Council and Kilrush Town Council will also be expected to reserve a quota of their standard local authority houses for Traveller families.

      The fact that some Traveller families, by the nature of their economic activity are in a position to provide their own accommodation is recognised. In this regard the Council will continue to keep Travellers advised of the wide range of accommodation options which are available. The Council will encourage and facilitate Travellers to avail of these options whenever suitable and appropriate.

      It is government policy to promote the provision of accommodation through the Voluntary Housing Scheme. Clare County Council is particularly anxious that this scheme is utilised for the provision of traveller accommodation and the Council will provide every assistance to voluntary bodies in order to achieve this objective.

    2. Locations

      Successive census and assessments of need undertaken by the Council continue to indicate that Travellers are located in three main centres in the County – Ennis, Ennistymon and Shannon. Survey work undertaken by the Council with regard to Travellers' preferences for accommodation types and location reflected the desire for accommodation units in Ennis and environs; Ennistymon and environs; and Shannon and environs.

    3. Group Housing Schemes/Serviced Sites

      The current and projected number of families who will require accommodation during the period of the programme is projected to be 88 families. The number of units required is based on the present and projected needs of Travellers up to 2008. Projects in planning from the current programme which expires in 2004 will accommodate 38 of these families leaving 50 families to be provided for in the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005 – 2008.

    4. Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008

      The Traveller Accommodation Programme will be subject to periodic review in the context of new indigenous family formations arising during the course of the Programme. The final determination on the type of units to be provided at each location will be made following full consultation with the Traveller families. This consultation will involve a final determination on the most appropriate form of accommodation for each family for the short to medium term. The range of alternative accommodation types can only be finally determined as this consultation exercise progresses. Based on current information and statistics available the accommodation required in the 2005 – 2008 Traveller Accommodation Programme is as follows:


    5. Table 4 : Accommodation Required 2005-2008
      Location Permanent Group Housing Schemes Required Standard Local Authority housing Required
      Ennis & Environs
      		4 1 37 3
      Ennis (Ashline)
      		1 2  
      Shannon & Environs
      		1 4  
      Ennistymon & Environs 3 1  

      1. These sites have already been identified in the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2000-2004.
      2. Improvement works to existing site with an additional two houses in planning.
      3. Standard Local Authority Housing in Ennis (30), Clarecastle (6) and Ruan (1).
      4. Additional permanent group housing site required in Shannon.


    6. Table 5 : Annual Targets for Implementation of Programme 2005 - 2008
        2005 2006 2007 2008 Total
      Group Housing Schemes 2 20 12 15 49
      Refurbished Group Housing Units 2 0 0 0 2
      Number of Proposed Purchases 1 1 1 1 5
      Standard Local Authority Housing 7 10 12 10 39
      Total 12 31 25 26 95

      In addition to the foregoing targets for permanent accommodation, temporary emergency facilities will be provided, pending the provision of permanent facilities at the following locations in 2005.

      • Ennis 2 X 8 Bay Site
      • Ennistymon 9 Bay Site

    7. Emergency Accommodation at Ballaghboy, Ennis.

      There are a number of traveller families in the Ennis area without any facilities and it will take some time before permanent accommodation is provided. To alleviate this situation a sixteen bay emergency site is presently under construction at Ballaghboy, Ennis. It is proposed that the emergency use of the development will cease when this Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008 is implemented but in any event not later than the end of 2008 at which time the site will revert to permanent accommodation which will facilitate traveller families.

    8. Emergency Site at Ennistymon

      Likewise there are a number of traveller families parked without any facilities on the roadside in the Ennistymon/Lahinch area. It is proposed to construct a temporary emergency site with limited facilities on lands recently acquired by the Council for traveller accommodation at Ballymacraven. The lifetime of this temporary emergency site will depend on the length of time it takes to acquire and develop the sites already identified under the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2000-2004 in the Ennistymon area .

    9. Temporary Emergency Site at Glenina

      This site was provided for a limited period following a High Court agreement and accommodates eight families. The site is due to close in March 2006.

    10. Transient Sites

      The Council has no proposal at this time to put a transient site in place. The local authorities in the mid-west region have made a submission to the DOEHLG that the provision of transient sites is a national issue. (See Section 2.3)

    11. Design

      The design of each scheme will reflect the needs of the Travellers and in particular take account of technical, fire and public safety requirements. Design proposals will provide for proper landscaping schemes to ensure that the site is functional, pleasant to live in and aesthetically pleasing. Materials used in the development of the site or scheme will be of durable quality and where possible will be selected with a view to minimising the maintenance of the scheme or site after completion.

      It is the Council’s policy to design and construct all facilities provided under this Programme to the standards contained in Ministerial guidelines and directions issued from time to time.

    12. Backup, Training and Support

      The Council recognises that backup, training and support are essential requirements for Travellers for whom accommodation has been provided and for those waiting for accommodation. Such backup and support will be provided through the co-ordinated approach of designated Council staff, appropriate state agencies and other groups. The Council will seek to maximise the mechanism of the County Development Board to ensure a co-ordinated response to the needs of traveller families.

      In order to promote the principle of integration it is necessary that specific training schemes be provided, including special schemes for skills development. It is the Council’s policy to work with all agencies and the various Traveller support groups in the provision of necessary training and support for Traveller families.

    13. Time Scale

      It is intended to proceed with the implementation of the outstanding works under the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2000 - 2004 as expeditiously as possible and certainly within the lifetime of the new programme and to secure the full implementation of the 2005-2008 Programme as expeditiously as possible. Progress in this regard will be determined by the time required to:-

      • Construct and allocate required Social Housing Schemes
      • Finalise traveller specific site identification
      • Acquire sites (either compulsorily or by agreement)
      • Complete the Part 8, Article 81 of the Local Government (Planning & Development) Regulations 2001 planning and consultation procedure
      • Obtain capital budget approval from the Department of the Environment and Local Government
      • Receive and analyse tenders
      • Complete the construction phase

  5. Strategy

    1. The strategy to implement the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005
      - 2008 will focus on the following:
      1. Implementing Authorities
      2. Voluntary Bodies
      3. Resources Required
      4. Provision of Accommodation
      5. Consultation
      6. Arrangements for Management and Maintenance of Accommodation
      7. Details of procedures for dealing with problems arising

    2. Implementing Authorities

      Under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 Clare County Council is the relevant housing authority for the entire County. In accordance with the requirements of the Act, Ennis Town Council and Kilrush Town Council will be implementing authorities for elements of the Traveller Accommodation Programme. The Council will work closely with these Authorities in conjunction with other statutory and voluntary agencies in putting in place the accommodation required to meet the identified and projected need. Each of the Authorities, in formulating its annual housing construction programme, will take account of the specific need for Traveller accommodation and address the provision of same within the programme.

    3. Voluntary Bodies

      It is government policy to promote the provision of accommodation through the Voluntary Housing Scheme. Clare County Council is particularly anxious that this scheme is utilised for the provision of traveller accommodation and the Council will provide every assistance to voluntary bodies in order to achieve this objective.

    4. Resources

      Successful implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme will require the provision of adequate funding, both capital and revenue, to achieve the objectives of the programme. Provision of capital funding for the provision of Traveller accommodation is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Council assumes that such funding will be available to provide new accommodation and improve existing accommodation in accordance with the Traveller Accommodation Programme.

      The Council will also make provision in its annual revenue budget for the management and maintenance of all such accommodation provided.

    5. Provision of Accommodation

      The Council will continue to provide new accommodation under contract. This does not exclude the provision of Traveller specific accommodation by other agencies and the Council will work closely with all relevant agencies who may wish to provide accommodation in particular the Council will assist approved voluntary bodies in the provision of such accommodation.

    6. Consultation

      The Council is committed to extensive consultation to achieve the objectives of this Traveller Accommodation Programme. Under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 a Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee has been established comprising of the following:-
      • Six elected members appointed by Clare County Council
      • A representative of Clare Traveller Support Group
      • Two members of the travelling community
      • Two officials of Clare County Council
      • Representative of a body to be nominated by Clare County Council

      The purpose of this Committee is:-
      1. To advise in relation to the preparation and implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme.
      2. To advise in the management of accommodation for Travellers.
      3. To provide a liaison between Travellers and Members and Officials of
        the County Council.

      The Council issued public notice of its intention to prepare a Traveller Accommodation Programme in August, 2004 and invited interested parties to participate in the consultative process. In accordance with legislative requirements adjoining housing authorities, Town Councils, Health Boards, The Local Traveller Consultative Committee, local community bodies and other voluntary non profit bodies engaged in Traveller Welfare were also advised of the preparation of the new Programme. The content of relevant submissions received have been noted and taken into consideration in the preparation of this Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005-2008.

      The Council recognises that consultation with prospective Traveller tenants and the local community is an important factor in ensuring the successful design and management of Traveller accommodation. Traveller tenants and local residents will be consulted in the formulation of schemes for implementation under the Traveller Accommodation Programme. The relevant proposals will also be subject to Part 8, Article 81 of the Local Government (Planning & Development) Regulations 2001 and this planning consultation process will facilitate consultation at a wide level.

    7. Management and Maintenance

      The effective management and maintenance of all Traveller sites is crucial. The Council will at all times endeavour to operate best practice in estate management.
      In particular:

      1. Tenants will be required to sign a tenancy agreement, which will
        clearly outline the respective responsibilities of the tenant and the County Council.
      2. There will be management at each site, which will involve the
        following:
        1. Establishment of a tenants committee
        2. Participation in tidy estates competitions
        3. Tenants to be proactive in general improvements to the site
      3. Site caretakers will be required to:-
        1. Control admissions to the site in accordance with the decisions and instructions of the Council.
        2. Implement and force the site regulations and to ensure proper management of the site in accordance with the terms of the Tenancy Agreements.
        3. Report defects and faults as requested by each tenant.
        4. Ensure that the caravans on each bay are correctly positioned and in accordance with fire regulations.
        5. Maintain the entrances, green areas, play grounds, roadways and the surrounding area of residential bays. Sweep the roadways and pathways of the site and grass cutting as necessary.
        6. Check periodically all equipment/systems on the site.
        7. Assist the Council in service of notices on the occupiers of caravans parked in prohibited areas.
        8. Perform other duties as may be assigned to the Caretaker by the Supervisor and the Council from time to time.
        9. Ensure that the barrier is kept secure at all times and to immediately report any tampering with same to the Supervisor.

        The caretaker will be responsible for the above functions and will report to the Supervisor.

      4. The site caretaker will visit each site on a daily basis and arrange for remedial works to be carried out, as necessary. The Supervisor will report breaches of Tenancy Agreements and the Council will take immediate action to deal with same.
      5. It is expected that the Courts will recognise the responsibilities of the Travellers (in addition to their rights) and so support the efforts of the Council in quality site management.
      6. It is the Council's policy to rigidly enforce legislation in relation to “anti-social” behaviour in all Traveller accommodation facilities provided by the Council.

    8. Traditional Activities

      Any accommodation provided under this programme will be for accommodation purposes only and will not serve traditional economic activities engaged in by the Traveller community. It is recognised that the keeping of horses and scrap is traditional and closely associated with Traveller families. Such Traveller families must make their own arrangements for the acquisition of land for grazing of horses and for scrap purposes and be prepared to pay for the renting of this land. It is not this Council’s policy to provide land for the accommodation of Travellers' horses or scrap.

    9. Unauthorised Encampments

      It is the Council’s policy to fully implement the provisions of Section 10 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 as amended by Section 32 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998. It is specifically the Council's policy to rigidly implement the one mile radius exclusion zone provided for in the amended Section 10(1)c of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. The Council will also work closely with the Gardai in the implementation of Section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2002. The enforcement of this legislation will protect both residents in existing Traveller accommodation and other residents in the vicinity of the Traveller accommodation. It is expected that the traveller community will themselves assist the Council in this regard.

  6. Partnership Approach

    It is expected that the provisions of this Traveller Accommodation Programme will serve to meet the existing and projected accommodation needs of Travellers over the duration of the programme. The programme is an attempt to deal fairly and equitably with the settled community and Travellers in tackling a complex and difficult issue. The programme is seen as the only viable framework within which the accommodation needs of Travellers can be met.

    The local authorities and the settled community in the county have a responsibility to ensure that accommodation is provided for the Traveller community. The Traveller community in turn has responsibilities in relation to the community at large. It is expected that the local authorities, the settled community and the Traveller community will mutually recognise these responsibilities and will work together to achieve the objectives of this Programme. It must also be recognised that other statutory and semi-state agencies have responsibilities in relation to Traveller accommodation. The Council expects that these relevant agencies will play their part in the implementation of this Programme and will seek to utilise the structures of the County Development Board to achieve a co-ordinated delivery of services to the Traveller community.

    It is the Council’s policy to review this Programme on an on-going basis in light of changing circumstances and in any event every three years as statutorily required.
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