The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) has found that Ireland does not provide adequate accommodation for Travellers, and that many halting sites are sub-standard in terms of sewage facilities, maintenance, lack of water, and other areas.
The ruling stems from a complaint lodged with the ECSR by the European Roma Rights Centre back in 2013, stating that Ireland was in breach of the European Social Charter over the standard of accommodation and housing rights for Travellers.
That complaint has now been upheld, and the ECSR has found that Ireland is in violation of Article 16 of the charter on the grounds of the insufficient provision of Traveller accommodation, as only 54 halting sites currently in operation, where 1,000 were deemed as needed back in 1995.
The ruling also finds that Ireland is in breach of Article 16 over allegations of the forced evictions of Travellers, saying that those who are faced with eviction are not usually provided with enough information or notice.
The ECSR is likely to take further action against Ireland on foot of these issues.