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Traveller Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (117)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

117. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of accommodation provision for members of the Travelling community; and the budget provision and spend in this area. [3055/22]

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Written answers

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that 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 local authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

Traveller-specific projects and developments are focused on group housing schemes and halting sites. This includes meeting Traveller-specific housing needs through a range of mechanisms, including the provision of mobiles and caravans; the provision and refurbishment of halting sites; the provision, refurbishment and extension of group housing and the return to use of vacant group housing. A new Caravan Loan Scheme was piloted in 2021, the results of which are currently under review.

The 2022 budget provision is €18m, an increase of €2.5m on 2021.

In 2021, the full capital provision of €15.5m was expended in providing Traveller-specific accommodation delivering new group housing, refurbishment of existing halting sites and group housing, fire safety works on sites and acquisitions (where acquisition is the solution to a specific need identified). A new Caravan Loan Scheme was piloted in 2021, the results of which are currently under review.

It is important to note that accommodation for Traveller households is provided across a range of housing options. The majority of Travellers live in standard housing, including local authority and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) housing and Housing Assistance Payments /Rental Assistance Scheme supported tenancies in the private rented sector. Funding for these housing supports are provided through the respective budget lines.

The figures for the number of new units and major refurbishments completed in 2021 are currently being validated and my Department will forward these to the Deputy's office as soon as they are available.

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