Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 3 December 2021
20. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he and his Department are taken to ensure that access to basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity are being supplied to all Traveller accommodation sites across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58099/21]
View answerThe National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) provides a framework for action on Traveller and Roma issues. It represents a whole of Government approach.
NTRIS encompasses action on themes such as cultural identity, employment, education, health and accommodation. I chair the NTRIS Steering Committee, which oversees implementation of this important Strategy. As usual, individual Departments have responsibility for delivering actions under their respective areas of responsibility.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provides both capital and current funding to support the provision of Traveller specific accommodation through local housing authorities. In 2021 a total of €15.5m was allocated for capital supports, including Traveller-specific accommodation and services. This was up from €14.5m in 2020. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provided some €4.5m of non capital funding last year.
The Deputy will appreciate that my Department has no role in the day-to-day provision of Traveller Accommodation including the provision of associated utilities. However, I will continue to work with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that the services referred to by the Deputy are provided to support the Traveller community in Ireland.
