This article is from page 19 of the 2012-05-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
THE COST of providing Traveller accommodation in Clare has been described as “disproportionately high” and “unsustainable”.
Clare County Council are seeking to amend its current Traveller Accommodation Programme, which runs until 2013.
The proposed amendment, which has gone on public display, states that the council has spent € 20 mil- lion on the construction of 10 permanent group development schemes throughout the county, in addition to other housing supports.
It states, “Three new group schemes were constructed as part of the current 2009-2013 programme, two in Ennistymon at Ballymacraven and at Glen North, and one in Ennis at Knockanean.”
The amendment notes, “The council and the members of the LTACC (Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee) recognise that the group scheme programme has had disappointing results, as reflected in the number of vacancies (currently 16 units or 25 per cent of all units provided), the high level of transfer requests (currently 13 households or 27 per cent of all current tenancies in group schemes) and the loss of units through arson (5 or 7.9 per cent of all units provided).”
Concern has previously been expressed over the high cost of providing and maintaining Traveller accommodation in Clare.
The document states, “The disproportionately high resources that the council is expending on the maintenance and management of Travellerspecific accommodation is unsustainable and negatively impacts on the capacity of the council to achieve the objectives of the programme.”
Under the proposed amendment, the council will close a temporary site at the Quin Road after the existing family there is relocated.
It continues, “It is the council’s policy to apply its rent arrears policy to all tenants. This is in the interests of equity, consistency and in the interests of promoting sustainable communities.”
Traveller tenants will be encouraged to participate in estate management programmes while the council’s antisocial behaviour strategy will apply “to all tenants in all settings.” The council is installing a CCTV system in three group scheme developments as a funded pilot project. Submissions to the document can be made until June 22.