Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2016
115. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance his Department is offering to local authorities to upgrade halting sites (details supplied). [16373/16]
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 (TAPs) 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.
In 2014, local authorities adopted the fourth round of Traveller Accommodation Programmes, with the five-year rolling accommodation programmes running from 2014 to 2018. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department for traveller accommodation, on foot of proposals received from local authorities and subject to approval from my Department.
Proposals for upgrading works to a temporary halting site at Capira, County Galway, were received by my Department on 13 June 2016 and are currently under consideration. I understand from Galway County Council that a proposal for a group housing scheme at Craughwell, County Galway, is currently at pre-design stage and will be submitted to my Department for consideration in due course.
