Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2015
12. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount approved for Traveller-specific housing in 2015, in County Galway and Galway city; the details of these approvals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37453/15]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Locally adopted Traveller Accommodation Programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over their 5-year lifespan and also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department. Funding for traveller accommodation is provided on foot of proposals received from local authorities and subject to approval by my Department.
Capital allocations for 2015 in respect of traveller specific accommodation issued to local authorities in May this year. Galway City and County Councils had no schemes under construction or approved to commence construction in 2015, and had no final balances due. Consequently, they did not receive an allocation when allocations were finalised in May.
Subsequent to the submission and examination of local authority proposals as part of the 2015 allocation process, Galway City Council submitted a post tender report and documentation to my Department proposing the demolition, rebuilding and refurbishment of two houses at Ballinfoyle Park, Galway, following extensive fire damage to the houses. The proposal was approved by my Department in July and payments totalling €62,150 have been made to Galway City Council to date.
