Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
348. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to ensure the implementation of the report of the expert review group on Traveller accommodation prepared by an independent expert group on his behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4257/21]
View answerOn the matter of the recommendations in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report, there are 32 recommendations aimed at:
- addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
- removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
- increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
- strengthening governance arrangements.
The recommendations have been categorised into separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require the commission of further independent research.
My Department is progressing a number of short term recommendations and working groups are working on others. For example, a review has been concluded of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and refurbishment of Traveller specific accommodation and a new process implemented for the 2020 allocation of funding. Meetings have taken place with working groups within my Department and with other Government agencies and Departments.
Officials from my Department are reporting progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group report at the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee meetings along with seeking input from them as major stakeholders.
In December 2020, I established a Programme Board to drive the consideration and implementation of recommendations contained in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report and the first meeting of the Programme Board will take place very shortly.
