Respond! strives for gold with its Traveller Accommodation Policy

Respond! strives for gold with its Traveller Accommodation Policy

Legendary Sports Broadcaster Jimmy Magee and former Olympic Boxer Francis Barrett will attend the launch of Respond!s new Traveller Accommodation and Support Policy at 12pm tomorrow February 13^{th .}The launch which takes place in South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght will be spearheaded by the Mayor of South Dublin Eamonn Maloney and Joe Horan County Manager.

Respond! is Irelands largest housing association and has identified the provision of Traveller accommodation as the one of the organisations key priorities for the future. Respond! recognises in co-operation with local authorities the shortfall that still exists in this area and plans to provide appropriate accommodation and support services for Travellers and Traveller families. The organisation believes this is best delivered through the multi-disciplinary team model of working in co-operation with other agencies, as outlined by the High Level Group on Traveller issues.

Fr Pat Cogan, Managing Director of Respond! said: Respond! is committed to providing suitable accommodation and support services to Travellers and their families and we recognise that Traveller culture and identity has to be taken into account when designing and implementing housing for Traveller families. We are in the unique position of possessing 25 years experience in housing and community development and I am confident we can deliver good quality, purpose designed accommodation and other services through our network of regional offices nationwide.

In order to achieve this goal, Respond! has recently appointed a full-time Traveller Accommodation Officer whose sole responsibility is to work with Travellers and Traveller organisations. The role of the TAC will be to assist in the accommodation of Travellers where appropriate and provide support and educational assistance.

We strongly believe that all relevant agencies must work together to ensure the development of any Traveller policy as this in itself will help to promote inclusion, anti-racism and integration. We acknowledge that problems exist but we are working towards a moderate solution that will engage all relevant stakeholders, including both the Traveller and Settled communities said Fr. Cogan.

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For further information, please contact:

Aoife Walsh, PR Officer, Respond!

Mobile: 086 0595038

Notes to Editor:

Respond! is Ireland's largest social housing organisation who currently manage 3500 units of accommodation across the country with a further 1500 under construction. All units within Respond! are of the highest quality, cost effective and are sustained by government and private support.

For nearly a quarter of a century, Respond! has dedicated their work to combating disadvantage, poverty and social exclusion. Since its establishment in 1982, Respond! has gained 25 years of experience in community development, housing provision. estate management, education and training. Respond! has developed by influencing social change in providing social and affordable accommodation for people in need.