Breaking News
County Councillor calls for national debate on traveller accommodation
Galway bay fm newsroom – A county councillor says national debate is needed on the issue of traveller accommodation.
Galway’s traveller population has increased significantly over the past 10 years, from 382 households in 2002 to 547 households in 2012.
This week’s meeting of the local authority heard that based on knowledge of families, in another 5 years there will be an extra 125 new families.
There are currently 48 families living in the county in unauthorised sites, roadside encampments or involuntarily sharing accomodation.
Councillor Sean O’ Tuairisg told the meeting that many travellers came to Connemara during the Summer but there was no suitable transient site for families.
The draft traveller accommodation programme which outlines plans for the period 2014-2018 was subsequently adopted by councillors.
Councillor Jimmy McClearn says national debate is needed on the way forward for housing travellers