€17.9m investment in local authority halting site will benefit children and can be an example to others – Ombudsman for Children

The response from a Local Authority to an Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) investigation into living conditions for 66 children and their families at a halting site could act as a blueprint of success for other local authorities to follow.

That’s according to No End in Site 2024 Update, an OCO investigation first published in May 2021, which found deplorable conditions for the 11 complainant families living at a local authority halting site.

This updated report, shows that significant progress has been made by the Local Authority (LA) on each of the 10 recommendations made.

Nuala Ward, OCO Director of Investigations, speaking ahead of the publication said:

“Since No End in Site was published over €1.4million has been spent on refurbishment and upgrading at the site in question. Funding of €17.9m has also been approved by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and the Local Authority is progressing the development of a separate group housing scheme to accommodate 15 families who expressed a preference for traveller specific accommodation in an alternative location.

“In the original No End in Site report, the OCO found that there was a persistent problem with rodent infestation; inadequate sanitation; extreme overcrowding; safety concerns about access to the site; illegal dumping nearby; inconsistent and inadequate waste disposal; inadequate heating systems; unsafe electrical works; a high rate of childhood illness caused by living conditions; a lack of safe play areas for children and housing applications not being progressed.

“The report made ten recommendations which were all accepted by the Local Authority. Since publishing the report the OCO has engaged with all stakeholders, the Local Authority; the residents and their advocates; and children on the site. This was not an easy process and there are still some outstanding issues on both sides, but the commitment and dedication of all involved have brought around great results.

“We think that there is potential for other authorities to use this experience as learning for how they can provide traveller accommodation in their area. We have written to the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Biren and the Minister for Disability, Children, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman asking them to promote this approach and offering to support in any way we can.

The findings of the No End in Site 2024 Update have been welcomed by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, who while visiting Ireland this week, said:

“It is noteworthy to see how the close cooperation between the Ombudsman for Children and local authorities can lead to significant improvements in living conditions for Traveller children. More such progress is vital for them to thrive and enjoy their human rights in childhood and throughout their lives.”

–

ENDS

• 8 October 2024
• Type: Press Release