Craigavon Travellers Support Committee

26/08/2026

The appropriate response from the Deputy First Minister would have been to raise the issue of Traveller homelessness with NIHE who hold the statutory duty to provide accommodation for Irish Travellers, (Housing (NI) Order 2003) and request support for these families who are being forced to live roadside because there are no available Transit sites in the North.

NIHE have followed a sustained programme of closing legal sites since acquiring the duty to provide Traveller accommodation in 1999. They have halved the number of sites since 2018 when the NI Human Rights Commission made a recommendation to open more sites and improve conditions on existing sites. NIHE continue to reduce the number of pitches despite recorded demand for more. This is a serious dereliction of duty on their behalf.

A high level investigation into why there is no Transit provision for nomadic families across the North must be opened.

Families live without electricity, water and other basic amenities because of institutional racism!

We shall be raising a complaint with the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister. Enough is enough!

Northern Ireland Human Rights CommissionEquality Commission for Northern IrelandIrish Traveller MovementSTEPMichelle O'NeillAn TearmannLaw Centre NICommunities NIHousing Executive

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19cwobWipA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

26/08/2026

CTSC have formally requested a review of the Co-operation Policy for Irish Travellers as part of the Traveller Accommodation Strategy.

The Co-operation Policy is the Housing Executive's solution for Nomadic Traveller homelessness. It does not work and it does not comply with planning legislation in the North.

The failure to provide sufficient transit sites is leading to the criminalisation of families who wish to pursue a nomadic lifestyle. Nomadic Travellers are being criminalised because of lack of sites and ineffective policy - not good enough from the "Housing Champions".

25/08/2026

"ASSIMILATION BY STEALTH" refers to the gradual, often unnoticed cultural, social, or institutional absorption of a minority group, distinct identity, or set of values into a dominant mainstream culture or system.

This is what is actively happening to Irish Travellers across the North as NIHE continue to reduce the number of legal sites / pitches for Irish Travellers in the North.

Planning Policy, (SPPS and PPS 12), dictates that an Accommodation Needs Assessment which includes General, Supported and Traveller Accommodation is completed on a rolling 5 year basis to ensure that adequate land is identified in all Council areas for all types of accommodation for the following 5 year period. The last Traveller Needs Assessment was completed in 2014. General and Supported Housing Needs Assessments are revised on an annual basis for the following 5 years. Spot the difference!

CTSC have been asked to support a new Draft Irish Traveller Accommodation Strategy 2026-2031 whose main objective is to complete a Needs Assessment for Irish Travellers within a 3 year period whilst planning law requires an annual assessment. There are no targets for new sites or grouped housing. There is no assigned budget.

During the same period of time NIHE have progressed a 3 year Social Housing Development programme which will create 12386 new houses across the North. It does not include Traveller specific accommodation.

Since 2016, when the NIHRC started their investigation into the Housing Executive's treatment of Irish Travellers, half of the sites have closed and plans are in place to reduce the size of 2 of the remaining 4 sites, despite there being a waiting list for Traveller Specific Accommodation in NI. The last Traveller Accommodation Survey identified 150% occupancy on an NIHE Traveller Site in Mid Ulster, they have done nothing to address this. Amenity buildings are substandard and have collapsed on site. There is no Transit provision to protect Nomadism.

Travellers are being forced to live on unathorised sites. Some are living roadside without electricity, water, sewage and refuse facilities. Conditions on all but one of NIHE's 4 sites do not meet Design Guide 2020 standards.

We know this! Other agencies know this! NIHE deny this! We cannot and will not support this!

This is institutional racism and it must be treated as such!

19/08/2026

Fun for all kids, big and small, a chance to go out with friends and meet new ones, everyone is welcome!

👀We will be attending the Good Relations Family Fun Day this Saturday👀

A fun day out for all the family – and a chance to make new connections…

The Good Relations Family Fun Day is a wonderful way for families to come together, enjoy a wide range of exciting activities while also discovering local organisations and support services available in the area.😊

😊Portadown People's Park

🗓️Saturday 22 August

⏰12pm to 4pm



Find out more here: 👉https://orlo.uk/AByFz

17/08/2026

CTSC can also offer confidential counselling, please reach out to us at any point!

13/08/2026

📢 **We’re recruiting! Join the InterACT Project team**

STEP is currently seeking passionate people to help us build **stronger families and communities across Mid Ulster** through the InterACT Project.

We have two exciting opportunities available:

📍 **Community Development Area Lead** – Dungannon & Coalisland area
📍 **Family Support Area Lead** – Cookstown & Magherafelt area

💷 **Salary:** £31,100 pro rata
⏰ **Hours:** 30 hours per week
🏖️ **36 days leave pro rata**, including statutory days
💙 Company Healthcare Scheme
📚 Paid Training & Development Opportunities
💰 6% Employer Pension Contribution

If you’re passionate about making a positive difference for families and communities, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Full details and application packs: **[www.stepni.org/step-job-opportunities](http://www.stepni.org/step-job-opportunities)**

📅 **Closing date: Tuesday 1 September at 12 noon**

Please share with anyone who might be a great fit!

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive have opened a public consultation for their Draft Irish Traveller Accommodation Strategy. The link to the consultation is below.

If you require an easy read copy of the consultation, please call 03448920900 and ask to speak to the Irish Traveller Policy Unit.

The consultation response is in survey format, but if you feel that the questions asked in the survey do not address your concerns, you can send a written response to [email protected] or in writing to:

ITPU Consultation, Housing For All
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
The Housing Centre, Second Floor
2 Adelaide Street, Belfast
BT2 8PB

We strongly advise you to contribute to this consultation as the community most affected by it. We are hosting 2 open consultation events in Craigavon and 1 in Banbridge, dates to be confirmed.

Find and participate in consultations run by the Northern Ireland Civil Service

11/08/2026

An Tearmann are recruiting a Programme Co-ordinator for a new Traveller A-Stars Pilot Programme.

The programme will help strengthen connections between home, school and community for Irish Traveller children and families in Coalisland and Dungannon.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a new pilot programme focused on inclusion, belonging, achievement and celebration.

📍 Coalisland & Dungannon
💷 Salary: £36,000
⏰ 37.5 hours per week
📅 Closing date: Tuesday 1 September, 12 noon

Find out more and download the application pack at www.stepni.org/step-job-opportunities

04/08/2026

Great idea if anyone needs help, we also have counselling available here at Craigavon Travellers Support. Free and confidential.

A new campaign has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.

The ‘Managing Anxiety’ programme encourages people to look after their mental health and wellbeing.

Running throughout August and September 2026, the campaign offers practical tips and ideas to help manage anxiety, along with information on where to find support if you need it.
Next time you’re in your local pharmacy, pick up a ‘Managing Anxiety’ leaflet or visit the link in the comments to find out more.