Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
500. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Travellers in Cork city and in counties Cork and Kerry experiencing homelessness and in emergency accommodation, respectively; and the number of the Traveller families accommodated in those areas by accommodation type from 2017 to date in tabular form. [63561/21]
View answerMy Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and via the Government’s Open Data Portal data.gov.ie/.
My Department does not collate specific data relating to ethnicity for the purposes of provision of emergency accommodation for homeless households and does not hold data on the number of Traveller families accommodated in those areas. However, I am aware that Travellers are notably represented amongst the homeless population and my Department is working closely with local authorities to address the needs of all those experiencing homelessness, including Traveller households.
Supporting all individuals and families experiencing homelessness is a key Government priority. 'Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, sets an ambitious objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge.
Through Housing for All, the Government is committed to taking action to prevent entries into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies. It also provides for enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to help those who are long-term homeless exit homelessness and maintain their home. Housing for All recognises the importance of addressing Traveller accommodation needs as a priority and commits to working with local authorities to improve the quantity and quality of Traveller-specific accommodation.
