traveller visibility group

€18m housing plan for regeneration of Traveller halting site in Cork city

A n €18m housing plan has been drawn up for the complete regeneration of an overcrowded Traveller halting site in Cork city where living conditions have been described as amongst the worst in Ireland.

The new city council blueprint for the redevelopment of its Spring Lane halting site in Ballyvolane includes plans for 27 Traveller-specific residential units on the site and the adjoining council-owned Ellis’s Yard, as well as extensive landscaping and site improvement works.

Details of the project have emerged following a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on key issues affecting the Traveller community, and almost three years after the publication by the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, of a damning report about living conditions on the site .

Assistant chief executive of Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, told the committee that the council has carried out extensive engagement over the last two years with the residents of Spring Lane.

“A stakeholder engagement specialist has been engaged from the outset to work directly with the residents on each resident’s long-term housing needs and requirements,” he said.

“The proposed design of each house, site layout and family grouping of houses have been discussed with each family, which has proved very beneficial in securing buy-in, building trust and identifying key issues throughout the process.

“While lengthy and resource-intensive, this form of direct consultation is necessary and will hopefully lead to better outcomes in terms of greater co-operation throughout the planning process, build phase of the development and future management of Spring Lane.” 

He said all design work, on-site surveys, environmental assessments and internal and agency consultation are complete, funding is in place and it is the council’s intention to commence the formal Part 8 process "without delay". 

'Long overdue'

The Cork Traveller Visibility Group's head of advocacy, Breda O’Donoghue, welcomed the progress but sounded a note of caution.

“This plan is long overdue. There has been a lot of engagement between the council, Traveller groups and the city council over the last two years,” she said.

“But we have been at this point before where attempts have been made to refurbish this site. This now needs political will to get over the line.

“People must realise that this is not investment in additional traveller accommodation — it is replacement accommodation of what is effectively shanty town-style accommodation."

She said the focus has to be on the children and the families who have been "torn through the mud on the issue over the years".

“There are three generations living there now. These families are embedded in the community, their children are going to school in the area and whatever happens in relation to this housing project, the families will not be moving," Ms O'Donoghue said.

“We have been told by some people that a local councillor voting for Traveller accommodation is like a turkey voting for Christmas.

“So what we need now is support from local public representatives.”

Living conditions

Spring Lane, a former sand and gravel quarry, was opened in 1989 as a 10-bay halting site. As family numbers expanded over the years, there was unauthorised expansion into adjoining fields and living conditions disimproved.

Today, the site is home to around 50 families, with an average family size of six, which means that up to 300 people are sharing toilets and washing facilities designed for a quarter of that.

While the Ombudsman’s report shone a national spotlight on the site, it had been the subject of criticism for years, with several attempts to find solutions.

Council proposals to extend the site into Ellis’s Yard to accommodate the increased numbers were voted down by city councillors in 2011.

In 2014, the Irish Examiner highlighted the appalling and unsafe living conditions on the site, when it revealed details of unpublished engineering and public health reports prepared in 2012 warned of how a large lagoon of water and raw untreated sewage on the site posed a serious health and drowning risk to almost 100 children living alongside it, and how a near-vertical 20m-high unstable cliff face towering over homes on one side of the site should be made safe to prevent its collapse.

The public health report also focused on high infection rates among children, with conditions including upper respiratory, lower urinary tract infections, and skin infections. It also raised concerns about Traveller women attending GPs for stress-related illnesses, mental health illnesses, chest and skin infections, and said there was a high percentage of children with special needs, speech and language, and learning difficulties.

Aware of those reports, former junior minister Kathleen Lynch, a TD for the area who had responsibility for equality, established an independent review of the complex issues in 2013.

But when that inter-agency group process broke down, she invited the former county manager of South Dublin County Council, the late Joe Horan, to head up an independent review.

He published a comprehensive roadmap for improvement the following year, which, if implemented, could have led to the phased closure of the site by March 2020.

But sadly, Mr Horan died in November 2016 and this process failed too because of “a lack of outcomes” — there was no high-level implementation group driving the required changes, Traveller advocates said.

Relationships and trust between the authorities, residents on the site and their advocacy groups deteriorated further, as did conditions on the site.

2016 report

A report to city councillors in April 2016 revealed just how bad things had become.

Councillors were told that city attempts to resolve certain issues on the site had been frustrated, leading to substantial cost overruns on contracts and the triggering of several court proceedings.

Delays caused one electrical contract to soar 98% – rising from €171,820 to €340,000. 

Four court dates were required to secure an injunction to support contractors engaged in cliff face stabilisation works.

The council said it had made 13 court appearances in relation to the site since December 2014. 

The city fire brigade was called to the site 46 times in 2015 alone to deal with 39 fires and seven false alarms.

The council spent €620,000 removing illegally dumped waste from Ellis’s Yard site between January 2003 and February 2015.

As well as repeated antisocial behaviour on the site, which has plagued the residents of nearby housing estates, the report cited severe and regular intimidation of contractors and council officials, including one incident where an axe was thrown at one contractor working on the site, and a pellet gun was involved in another incident.

In 2018, the city council spent some €430,000 replacing 33 mobile homes on the site. 

In February 2019, the council mounted another large clean-up operation to remove an estimated 200 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish, including asbestos, from Ellis’s Yard, at a cost of about €53,000.

Around the same time as this clean-up, a Traveller advocacy group contacted the Ombudsman, which led to 11 families and their children, being interviewed about their complaints.

The redevelopment of the site was included in the council's previous Traveller accommodation programme, which was approved by councillors in 2019, a plan which attracted in the region of 1,000 submissions, mostly from members of the settled community who live close to the halting site.

Ombudsman report

Then in May 2021, following three years of investigative work, the Ombudsman published his report on Spring Lane which found the poor conditions had a “significant and prolonged adverse impact” on children living on the site.

The report found the council failed to maintain it, including the upkeep of the toilet and showering facilities, ensuring consistent waste management and pest control, and providing a clear and safe passage to school, as well as areas for children to play.

The report noted “extreme overcrowding”, inadequate waste disposal and heating systems, “unsafe electrical works”, and a high rate of childhood illness caused by the poor conditions.

Site inspections found about 140 people using toilets and washing facilities designed for 40 people.

Inspectors observed children sharing makeshift beds in cramped living areas, damp on the the walls and ceilings, and children playing amid rubbish.

The council has been working intensively since that report to secure major and long-lasting improvements on the site and got confirmation just last week of some €17.9m in funding from the department of local government and housing for the regeneration.

City councillors are due to be briefed on the detail of the plans over the coming days before they will be published for six-weeks of public consultation under the Part 8 planning process.

Mr Geaney told the Oireachtas committee that the council is “fully committed to improving the quality, standard and availability of suitable accommodation for Traveller families” right across the city and “works in partnership with families, advocacy groups and agencies to help ensure this can be achieved”.

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Cork Traveller Visibility Group

The Cork Traveller Visibility Group is a community development organisation which works to support Travellers in their day to day lives so they can participate in Irish society as equals. We are a Cork city based organisation but also work in partnership with other Traveller projects regionally and nationally as a member of the Irish Traveller Movement.

The TVG is a Traveller led Cork based organisation which brings the settled community and Travellers together in order to facilitate community development work for the Traveller community.

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A Feminist Walk of Cork

Traveller visibility group, 25 lower john st, shandon, cork, t23 yx50.

The Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) helps Travellers in Cork and across the country. It campaigns for social justice and equality. It supports Travellers with health, education, employment and accommodation so that in their day to day lives they can take part as equals in our society.

A group of Traveller women started TVG in the early 1990s. They were Helen Casey, Anne Burke and Chrissie O’Sullivan. At the time, Travellers were living in unofficial sites throughout the city without proper water, electricity or toilets. Traveller children were often not allowed to go to their local school. Katie O’Donoghue, who appears on our map, is another inspiring Traveller woman. She campaigned for Traveller rights from the 1970s right up until her death in 2020.

TVG has now been running for over 30 years. It has always said ‘Nothing about us, without us’ making sure that Travellers’ voices are really heard and then responded to.  

Image Credit: TVG and Cork Community Art Link

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Rebel Streets in conjunction with Cruinniú na nÓg - ​ Graffiti Workshop at Cork Traveller Visibility Group

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15 Cork groups and organisations recognised as allies to the Traveller community in inaugural awards

Brigid Carmody, Coordinator Cork Traveller Women's Network, with Triskel Arts Centre Board Chairperson Frankie Whelehan with the Traveller Ally Award images. Picture: Darragh Kane

Fifteen Cork groups and organisations have been recognised in the inaugural Traveller Ally Awards, aimed at acknowledging local allies of the Traveller community.

The recipients of the awards, coordinated by Cork-based Traveller organisations Cork Traveller Women’s Network (CTWN) and the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG), are being announced today to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the State’s recognition of Irish Travellers as an indigenous ethnic group.

CTWN and TVG say the 15 recipients “have shown ongoing solidarity and support of the Traveller community in the city”.

The winners of the inaugural awards are: Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Public Museum, Traveller Equality and Justice Project, Cork Community Artlink, Cork Gay Project, Cork Says No To Racism, Crawford Art Gallery, Frameworks Films, LINC, Munster Technical University, Parklands GP Surgery, People’s Republic of Cork (P.R.O.C), Sexual Violence Centre Cork, The Glucksman Gallery and University College Cork.

Each award winner will receive a beautifully designed vinyl sticker created by Traveller artist Francesca Hutchinson along with a Cork Traveller Pride logo image which can be displayed proudly in their office.

CTWN and TVG say the purpose of the Traveller Ally image is both to thank the ally organisation and also to be a calling card to the Traveller community to recognise that this organisation respects Traveller culture and is open to work with and support them.

“Being an ally is about holding out the hand of friendship and solidarity,” Brigid Carmody, Coordinator of Cork Traveller Women’s Network, said.

“We plan for the Traveller Ally Awards to grow and become an annual celebration.

“We look forward to the Traveller Ally stickers being displayed as a mark of welcome to our community in venues across the city.

“However we also hope that over time there will be no need to highlight the exceptions, that we will live in a society where Travellers and settled people can thrive together and enjoy the differences and similarities of both cultures.” 

Breda O’Donoghue, Director for Advocacy at the Traveller Visibility Group, also paid tribute to the winners.

“We wouldn’t be celebrating Traveller ethnicity recognition today were it not for the solidarity and consistent support from allies like the winners of today’s awards,” she said.

“The groups and organsiations included in the Traveller Ally Awards have all been part of the journey to recognising Traveller rights, ethnicity and most importantly standing with Traveller organisations to improve social, economic and health outcomes for the Traveller community.”

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Cork City Traveller Education Strategy

To support a more strategic, co-ordinated and whole of education approach, UCC and MTU-Cork Campus have engaged in the development of a Cork City Traveller Education Strategy Action Plan, led by community partner the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) Cork Ltd. As well as identifying key areas for action, the process also highlighted the limited capacity of community partners to engage in education initiatives, due to specific funding restrictions and pressing community needs. In response to this challenge and to further actions identified in the strategy, Access UCC have funded two days of the Traveller Education Strategy Co-Ordinator post in TVG. This will enable co-ordination of efforts with the NTRIS STAR project, Cork City Traveller Education Interagency Group and PATH 3. A significant element of the Coordinator’s role is to develop a strategic framework on the social determinants of education. This will serve as a valuable mechanism to understand the obstacles that inhibit Traveller participation and success in education; the complexity of educational disadvantage experienced by the community and it will also provide a vital lens from which to develop appropriate responses.

Dr Linda Greene

Education Strategy Coordinator, Traveller Visibility Group Ltd. Cork.

[email protected]

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Traveller Mediation Service (TMS)

TMS works to mediate conflicts between Travellers, between Travellers & Agencies, and between Travellers and the Settled Community.

The service promotes and delivers conflict prevention and intervention skills training and capacity building to TMS stakeholders.

  HOW WE WORK

• By proactively responding to, and working to resolve, conflicts using mediation, conflict coaching, restorative approaches and other conflict intervention strategies where appropriate.
• By engaging with, building and strengthening relationships with Traveller families,Traveller organisations, and with organisations in which Traveller participate.
• By interacting and engaging with all the relevant statutory agencies.
• By implementing alternative dispute resolution through capacity building and training of Travellers and those working with them.
• By raising awareness, and promoting and disseminating TMS information to the wider community.

Testimonials

John o’sullivan, cork traveller visibility group.

To say we have found the Traveller Mediation Service a valuable national resource is an understatement. The project has proven itself to us to be vital in helping to reduce the high levels of conflict that exist in the community today through peer led mediation work.

Geraldine Dunne, Southside Travellers

I would like to say that the Traveller Mediation Service is an essential service for Travellers and Traveller organisations. It has the professionalism, technique, expertise, awareness and knowledge to deal with all Traveller conflict in an effective way which achieves a positive outcome from its approach and wisdom

Brigid Quilligan, Aras AN Phobail, Boherbee, Tralee, Kerry

Kerry Traveller’s Health CDP have found this service to be a lifeline. The TMS is experienced, skilled and supportive. I cannot emphasis enough the level of support we have received from the service; they are a fantastic team.

Hugh Friel, Donegal Traveller’s Project

Donegal Travellers Project would like to express how vital the TMS service has been to us in Donegal.

Superintendent Kevin Daly, An Garda Siochana

My experience of working with the Traveller Mediation Service has been very positive in terms of joint cooperation, trust and a shared willingness to de-escalate tense conflict scenarios. I am aware of their valuable intervention in many difficult conflict situations.

Brigid Carmody, Cork Traveller Women’s Network

TMS have a unique understanding of the complex causes of conflict within the Traveller community and bring an excellent understanding of Traveller culture to their mediation work. This cultural understanding is essential to the work.

Bridget Kelly, Galway Traveller Movement

Galway Traveller Movement have found the Traveller Mediation Service an immensely valuable resource and the support and the expertise that it brings to the work is of great assistance to us as a local project.

• ( ): (353) 0214503786
• ( ): [email protected]
• ( ): 25 Lower John St, Cork, Ireland, T23 YX50

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TVG Health Project works from the determinants of health model (Dahlgren and Whitehead 1991) approach. As there are many things in life that can affect an individual’s health we work with members of the Traveller community in a variety of ways and on a variety of topics with their health to support better health outcomes for Travellers.

The health team is made up of 7 workers including:

Coordinator:

• Caroline Barnard, TVG Traveller Health Coordinator (full time)

Her role is to coordinate the overall health project in TVG by supporting the development and delivery of Health Initiatives by health staff to the Traveller community and working at local regional and national level around Traveller health development work.

Community Health Development Workers:

• Breda O’Donoghue, Traveller Women’s Health Development (part time),
• John O’Sullivan, Traveller Men’s Development Worker (full time)

Their focus is to build capacity with the groups of people they are working with in the community, to support families around accommodation, education and training and to advocate on their behalf to service providers. They also participate at Traveller interagency committee level as well as Estate Management meetings, Traveller Culture Awareness Training (TCAT), the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) regional meeting which is focused on addressing the findings of the study, the Horse Initiative meeting for Cork City, as well as a number of small steering group meetings for pieces of work we have been evolving in the city. At committee level they seek to encourage further advocacy on behalf of Travellers and help to ensure a platform for Travellers to be heard.

Their work also includes providing outreach support to families, as well as developmental group work, and case work.

Traveller Community Health Workers (TCHW):

• Biddy McDonagh, South side (part time)
• Elizabeth McGrath, South side (part time)
• Jean O’Donoghue, North side (part time)
• Nora Cash, North side (part time)

TVG TCHW’s are Travellers who have training and experience working within the Traveller community. Their focus is on engaging the community around Primary Health Care and they regularly network with health services to provide health information to the community. They also help to mobilise the community and organise health initiatives and programmes throughout the year and encourage Travellers locally to be interested in health from a variety of angles.

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