In 2022 a collaborative research project was undertaken by Atlantic Technological University Sligo (formerly IT Sligo) and National Travellers MABS. National Traveller MABS staff joined Atlantic Technological University Sligo staff to undertake the field work element of this research and to support the researcher in where best to concentrate the desk research element of the study.
The field data was collected by National Traveller MABS staff and staff of local Traveller organisations in February and March of 2022. We received 60 responses for this study.
During this initial research phase, consultations were held with several Traveller groups through focus groups. The information gathered at these focus groups was then used to guide this particular piece of research.
During the summer we received the first draft of the research and National Traveller MABS staff worked to edit it with the ATU researcher Dr. Ehiaze Ehimen. National Traveller MABS also hosted a focus group meetings with Travellers to introduce the findings and proof the recommendations.
On the 12th October 2022 Senator Eileen Flynn launched our Research on the Energy Efficiency of Mobile Homes for Irish Travellers in the Ashling Hotel in Dublin.
Travellers living in mobile homes currently face higher energy (electricity and heating) bills mainly due to issues of poor insulation and energy inefficiency in these dwellings. This has in turn resulted in higher levels of energy poverty.
This report sets out to review the market in mobile homes with a view to understanding how, what is currently available, might address the accommodation element of energy poverty experienced by Travellers. As part of this study we also surveyed Travellers to get a snapshot of the patterns of energy usage.
The surveys carried out in this report showed that Traveller families in mobile homes were paying between €120-360 for electricity, and €105-€400 on heating fuels on a monthly basis. Most of the energy usage, including electricity consumption, was to meet space heating requirements (as there is low ownership of non-heating appliances in most mobiles).
The report concludes that the purchase of energy efficient mobile homes is the main route to addressing the accommodation element of energy poverty experienced by Travellers. There are international industry standards which could be used to specify the energy efficiency status of mobile homes suitable for residential living (i.e. the British standard BS 3632).
However, the significant cost (usually in the range of €60,000 and greater) of such standardised units which meet the minimum requirements of the BS3632 standard limit the ability of most Travellers in acquiring them.
This report has seven recommendations to provide a mechanism for government and other agencies to support the inclusion of Travellers living in Trailers/ Mobile homes in just energy transition plans. These include looking at alternative mechanisms for Travellers to access mobile homes, developing a ratings guide for energy efficiency for selection of mobile homes and incorporating green technologies into mobile home construction.
100 copies of the report were distributed to Senators and T.D.’s by Senator Eileen Flynn on National Traveller MABS behalf. 31 copies were posted to each of the local authorities in Ireland. 25 people attended the launch in person while social media posts around the launch had a combined impressions of 5,776 on Twitter and Facebook. Copies of the report were also posted to Traveller organisations.
