Almost half the money allocated to local authorities for Traveller accommodation over the past two years has not been spent, figures from the Department of Housing show. Some €14.5 million was allocated to the 31 local authorities between 2016 and 2017 for Traveller housing. Just €4.2 million of the €5.5 million allocated was drawn down last year. This is despite what Traveller campaigners have described as a “Traveller housing crisis within a housing crisis”. The number of Traveller families living on unauthorised sites – usually without running water or a secure electricity supply – or in overcrowded conditions continues to increase.

Source: The Irish Times November 22, 2017 19:18 UTC