LEGISLATIVE FAILURE SHOWS IRISH TRAVELLERS? NOMADISM NOT SUPPORTED

Irish Traveller Movement Publish Progressing the Provision of Accommodation to Facilitate Nomadism Discussion Document

7th December 2009

The failure of local authorities to implement plans accounting for the nomadism needs of local Travellers demonstrates a lack of understanding of its cultural importance, the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) said today.  Mr Jack Keyes, Cavan County Manager launched an ITM discussion document, Progressing the Provision of Accommodation to Facilitate Nomadism in Dublin?s Mansion House, in which practical recommendations on the issue of nomadism for Irish Travellers are put forward.

For many Travellers, nomadism can be described as a traditional way of life in which a community has no permanent settlement but moves from place to place, usually seasonally and within a defined territory.  Under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, local authorities are obliged to provide a certain amount of Traveller-specific accommodation in their areas, some of which must cater for nomadism.  However, most local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes make no reference to nomadic provision.

Bridgie Casey, Accommodation Worker with the ITM, said: ?Nomadism is an historical tradition and part of Traveller culture; it is part of who and what Travellers are; it is part of our being as a people.  The legislative and policy framework is in place to assist local authorities in implementing nomadic provision, but very little has been delivered so far?.

The impact of lack of provision and the refusal to provide it in future by the various local authorities is clearly felt across the Traveller community, who are denied their right to a service due to the failure to fulfil legal obligations in this regard and the lack of a national agency to drive the legislation.

It is clear that the lack of action needs to be addressed with a national mechanism put in place to bring about the provision of accommodation for nomadism?, continued Casey.

The resolution of this failure will require the State to take responsibility for ensuring provision is made within a defined timescale and that those local authorities that fail to comply are assisted in meeting their obligations.

Simultaneously, the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002 has seriously undermined Travellers? right to be nomadic, as it has become virtually impossible for Travellers to move freely within the state due to the lack of availability of legal parking places.  This law needs to be repealed as a matter for urgency and the issue of provision tackled to ensure Travellers? human rights are not further eroded.

The ITM?s recommendations on the issue, contained in detail in the discussion document, call on local authorities to implement nomadic provision in three ways: by providing land that can be used temporarily to cater for fairs and events; organising sites with basic services to cater for all year round movement, and supporting Travellers to arrange nomadic provision privately.  The recommendations also offer practical ways to manage transient accommodation.

For further information, a copy of the discussion document or to arrange an interview please contact Damien Peelo, Director, Irish Traveller Movement, 01 679 6577
 
Note to Editors
There are an estimated 30,000 Travellers in Ireland, made up of over 8,000 families.