Wicklow County Council is responsible for the housing needs of the Travelling community within its functional area and has adopted a Traveller Accommodation Programme.

With regards to existing sites such as Silverbridge, Ballinteskin, Rocky Valley and Windgates, it is proposed to improve the living accommodation and facilities onsite. This will be subject to the relevant funding being available from the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government.

In accordance with Section 9 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, Wicklow County Council proposes to adopt a Traveller Accommodation Programme for five years (2019-2024). This plan will cover the functional area of Wicklow County Council.

The draft Traveller Accommodation Programme was adopted on 2nd September 2019.

Any person or organisation who wishes to make to make a submission in respect of the Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme is invited to do so. Submissions should be made in writing and returned in a sealed envelope marked ‘Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024’ and addressed to the Senior Executive Officer, Housing & Corporate Estate, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow or emailed to housing2@wicklowcoco.ie with subject line – Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme.

Local Authority Traveller Accommodation Programme

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 requires each local authority to draw up, adopt and implement five-year rolling accommodation programmes to accelerate the provision of accommodation for Travellers.

Section 7 (4) of the Act provides that the adoption, amendment or replacement of an accommodation programmes is a reserved function. This means that it is a function that is carried out by the elected councillors.

These programmes set out the targets for the accommodation needs under the Social Housing Needs Assessment.

Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides the statutory basis for the formation, remit, and membership of Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees (LTACCs).

Under the Act an LTACC may:

• advise in relation to the preparation and implementation of any accommodation programmer for the functional area of the appointing authority concerned
• advise on the management of accommodation for Travellers
• provide a liaison between Travellers and members and officials of the appointing authority concerned.