Kilkenny Council applied for just €22k from €13m fund to house Travellers

By COLIN BARTLEY

KILKENNY County Council applied for just €22,000 from a fund of €13 million designated for Traveller specific accommodation.

But despite the small amount it applied for, the council has actually drawn down €171,000 from the Traveller accommodation scheme in the first six months of the year.

Before the start of each year, local authorities submit funding proposals for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments designed to improve the living conditions of the Travelling community.

Nationally, just €2,400,000 of the allotted €13 million has been drawn down.

Five local authorities did not apply for any funding, while 19 local authorities have yet to take any money from the scheme this year.

Kilkenny County Council has exceeded its allocation by 850% in the first half of the year alone.

In 2018 the local authority drew down just €60,000 despite applying for €200,000 under the scheme.