Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
262. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the finding in the IHREC and ESRI Monitoring Adequate Housing in Ireland report that ethnic minority groups had a significantly higher risk of overcrowding in housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44600/21]
View answerEthnic minorities may apply to local authorities for social housing and are assessed in like manner with other applicants in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. An assessment carried out by the local authority will take account of the accommodation in which the family is currently living, and if that accommodation is overcrowded, the household may be deemed eligible for social housing supports if they qualify in other respects.
In the context of housing for the Travelling community, in particular, in 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.
In 2021 my Department has continued to address the specific housing needs of Traveller communities, as follows:
- The Capital Budget for Traveller-specific accommodation for 2021 is €15.5 million, an increase of €1m on the 2020 budget and the Current Budget for Traveller-specific accommodation is €5.8 million which is an increase of €1.1 million on the 2021 budget.
- An expert review on Traveller Accommodation was published in 2019 and a Programme Board has now put a work programme to drive the implementation of the recommendations.
As the Minister responsible for housing, I, and my Department, have ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities in relation to the advancement of social housing and I know that they are deeply committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed. In addition to these meetings, targeted sessions have been held between my Department and local authority senior management to specifically discuss all aspects of social housing delivery.
The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy must address the needs of those who experience social exclusion in our society and continues to support the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which was launched earlier this month expresses particular concern about the effects of family homelessness which affects many travellers and other ethnic minorities. The Plan commits to enhancing existing supports and early intervention methods for such families through multiagency coordination. I am confident these additional supports will be of great benefit to all families.
