03 Consultation
The Traveller Visibility Group (TVG ) This submission made a number of comments and raised issues in relation to the TAP 2019. Full regard has been had to these in the TAP 2025- 2029. National Traveller MABS. This submission highlighted the need for fuel efficient, affordable, culturally appropriate accommodation. It recommended the need to increase the amount of the Caravan Loan Scheme to allow Travellers to purchase insulated, energy efficient residential standard trailer accommodation (in line with BS 3632). It asked that the TAP 2025-2029 signpost all potential applicants to MABS for financial advice in this regard. In addition, it suggests that a Caravan Rental Scheme should be proposed for families not in a position to purchase a unit.
03.1 Consultation Process An extensive programme of consultation has been undertaken by the TAU to ensure the completion of a robust and comprehensive programme for Traveller Accommodation across Cork City for this five-year period. Notice Local Authorities are required, under Section 8 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998 (the Act) to give notice in writing to relevant stakeholders of their intention to prepare a Traveller Accommodation Programme (TAP) prior to doing so. Relevant stakeholders may include any relevant Approved Housing Body (AHB), the HSE, the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC) along with any other relevant local community bodies 10 . Cork City Council contacted the various stakeholders listed in Appendix C by a letter issued on the 26 th February 2024 advising them that a draft TAP was being prepared, and inviting pre-drafting submissions.
Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee
Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees (LTACC) were established under the Act to facilitate consultation between Housing Authorities and Travellers, to advise on any aspect of accommodation for Travellers and on the preparation and implementation of any accommodation programme. The membership of the Cork City LTACC comprises housing officials, public representatives and representatives of the Traveller community. The LTACC have been consulted throughout the TAP process. Preparation of Survey The Act also emphasises the importance of meaningful consultation with all relevant stakeholders during the preparation of a TAP. As part of the consultation process for Cork City Council’s TAP 2025-2029, a TAP Survey was conducted with members of the Traveller community in Cork City to determine their accommodation needs and preferences. The
Three submissions were received in response to the notice from:
CENA – an AHB working with and for Travellers. This submission sought to establish a more structured working relationship between CENA and Cork City Council in relation to Traveller accommodation. It identified a number of opportunities where this could be achieved, including CENA ’s future involvement in accommodation needs assessment, accommodation design, addressing homelessness and working in partnership with other AHB to address Traveller specific accommodation provision 11 .
11 The Council subsequently engaged Cena to undertake a feasibility study with the Residents of Carrigrohane Road Halting Site and Corkeran’s Quay unauthorised halting site.
10 A list of all stakeholders written to as part of the consultation process is included within Appendix D.
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Cork City Council | Traveller Accommodation Programme 2025-2029
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