Kerry County Council should consider a proactive approach in providing transient sites for Travellers.
That's according to a report from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
In June 2019, the commission asked the council to examine the level of equality in relation to those wishing to avail of Traveller-specific accommodation.
The report states there's a strong working relationship between Kerry County Council, the Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project and the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, with regular meetings being held.
The council points to an emerging trend of an increase in Traveller homelessness; a significant number of Travellers required emergency accommodation and homeless services.
The council points to national data saying Travellers are 50 times more likely to be discriminated against by private landlords, the current housing market in Kerry is also a significant contributing factor.
The commission says no data is provided by the council on homelessness or on overcrowding in existing accommodation.
It adds there's no justification for the council deeming it inappropriate to use temporary sites to accommodate those awaiting permanent housing.
It says the increase in Traveller homelessness makes it all the more important for the council to establish transparent and robust systems for the collection of true accommodation preferences for members of the Traveller community.
The commission also raised concerns about the current quality of halting site provision in the county and said some Travellers feel they have no choice but to apply for social housing.
The report says the council's position that commercial traders should secure their own accommodation doesn't appear to adequately respond to culture difference and Traveller nomadism.
The commission recommends a proactive approach in providing transient sites that could also serve as overflow accommodation when needed.
