Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1208. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on Traveller accommodation in 2019; the estimated amount to be spent in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8962/20]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers 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 2019 my Department provided a total of €8.7m in capital funding to local authorities for Traveller accommodation projects. In 2020, there is a capital budget of €14.5m available to local authorities. It is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds from this budget at any time throughout the year. In 2020 to date, a total of €3.1m has been drawn down.
