Current Accommodation Needs Conclusions Group Housing Scheme Throughout their comments the TAP Survey respondents made repeated references to a one- off cottage/bungalow in the countryside, with some space around it, as the optimal form of Traveller accommodation. While this was the traditional rural housing model in Ireland, unfortunately, the provision of such a typology of accommodation in an urban context within the Metropolitan Area of Cork City is contrary to national and local policies in terms of sustainable housing development. This form of development would not comply with the density targets set out in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements - Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024, which range from 40 dwellings per hectare (dph) to 300 dph depending on whether the location is a suburban/urban extension, a city urban neighbourhood or in the city centre. One-off bungalows were therefore not included in the accommodation type options in the TAP Survey. The strong preference for Group Housing Bungalows expressed in Table 7, therefore, may include these preferences for one-off bungalows, with the respondents stating a preference for a bungalow rather than a specific wish to live in a Group Housing Scheme. There was some ambiguity within the TAP Survey responses with regard to Group Housing Schemes. While the concept seemed broadly attractive, in reality 37% of respondents who are currently living in this model of housing reported dissatisfaction with the standard of accommodation and a relatively high percentage wished to move, due to overcrowding, downsizing, issues with neighbours and health issues. In many cases there appears to be a mismatch between the idea of Group Housing Schemes and the reality. However, a definite preference emerged for small clusters of housing up to 3 – 6 units, limited to housing one extended family rather than general Traveller Group Housing. Several respondents considered that a small cluster of the 2-storey semi-detached type house would make an attractive Group Housing Scheme. It was also commented that more Group Housing
Schemes were required so that where issues arose families could move to another scheme. In view of this feedback it is considered that there is scope for evolving the traditional model of Group Housing Schemes. This is considered further in Section 4.6 Gap Analysis. It is noted also that the majority of the respondents (52%) had rural backgrounds, with c. 34% of the respondents growing up in County Cork, and a further 18% growing up in Counties Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford and Kerry. Given the traditional movement patterns of Traveller families between Cork City and Cork County it is considered that the population would be more effectively planned for in an integrated manner. The Cork Joint Housing Strategy 2022 – 2028 sets out the existing and future housing requirements across both Cork City and Cork County local authority areas, based on an acknowledgement that housing needs and housing markets cross local authority boundaries, particularly across the wider Cork City region. Local Authority Housing It was flagged by many respondents that they were afraid of stairs and would only consider a single storey dwelling due to safety concerns for their children or mobility issues. Notwithstanding this, 22% of all respondents currently live in two-storey dwellings, which make up the majority (77%) of the standard houses in which the respondents live. Response rates to the images of 2-storey houses support the view that the concern relating to stairs is not uniform, with 37% of respondents rating the 2-storey, end-of-terrace, semi-detached house type amongst their 1 st preference. An aspect of this fear of stairs may be a factor of inexperience having lived in a bungalow or caravan all their lives. Traveller supports and pre-tenancy courses could be put in place to address this. Travellers moving from halting sites into standard Local Authority housing may encounter a number of issues. The role of the Traveller Liaison Officer is critical in supporting this transition. Although some respondents were emphatic that they would not live in a housing estate, others stated a clear preference for living away from other Travellers and within standard housing. Concerns regarding feelings of isolation were voiced by some
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Cork City Council | Traveller Accommodation Programme 2025-2029
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