Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1207. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of Traveller halting sites considered by his Department to be overcrowded; the number of Travellers living in overcrowded conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8961/20]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers 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.
My Department provides funding to local authorities under their five-year Traveller Accommodation Programmes to support the accommodation needs of Traveller families in a range of circumstances identified by the local authorities, including to address circumstances of overcrowding. The management of the programmes locally, and the selection, prioritisation and submission of projects, is a matter for each local authority.
