Families from the Traveller Community have moved into prefabricated housing units at Avila Park, Finglas.
Avila Park is a joint initiative by the Department of Local Government, Dublin Corporation, Finglas West Tenants' Association and the Dublin Itinerant Settlement Committee.
This is the second fully serviced accommodation site in Dublin and consists of twenty chalets with electricity and running water and designated spaces for caravans. The first dedicated site, Labre Park in Ballyfermot, was opened two years ago.
Many members of the Traveller Community find it difficult to secure employment, and this is primarily because of discrimination.
Victor Bewley, who is secretary of the Dublin Itinerants Settlement Committee says that Travellers experience a high level of discrimination, particularly when they are seeking employment. He calls for them to be,
Interviewed on their merits, just the same as anybody else.
A desire to leave behind the hardships of a nomadic way of life as well as seeking an education for their children are the primary reasons that Travellers choose to settle at sites such as this one.
Around forty children from Avila Park are in full-time education. At present the demand for school places is so great that Traveller children from other parts of Dublin are brought by bus across the city. Victor Bewley maintains that more schemes such as Avila Park are the solution and could have local school arrangements.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 December 1969. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
