Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
130. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the findings of the report A Hidden Crisis: Traveller homelessness in the South West published 18 January 2022; and the response by his Department to the report. [3325/22]
View answerI recognise the challenges identified in the report entitled 'A Hidden Crisis: Traveller homelessness in the South West' which was commissioned by the Cork Kerry Regional Traveller Accommodation Working Group and which investigates both the causes and impact of Traveller homelessness and hidden homelessness in the Region which is a valuable contribution on the issue.
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, published in July 2019, reviewed the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, and other legislation that impacts on the provision and delivery of accommodation for Travellers. The Expert Review report, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accommodation for members of the Traveller community, has 32 recommendations across 4 categories which are aimed at:
1. Addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
2. Removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
3. Increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
4. Strengthening governance arrangements.
Delivery and implementation of the recommendations will involve several areas within my Department as well as input from other Departments, local authorities and other external stakeholders.
A Programme Board established to drive implementation of the recommendations from the Expert Group report has agreed a work programme for 2021 focused on national issues and the local level strategic policy committees will be considered in due course. For example, internal liaison is ongoing with Homelessness Unit developing insights on Traveller homelessness. The Programme Board recently agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations on my Department's website. It is expected that this information will be available shortly.
I, and my Department, will continue our collaborative work with local authorities to support the consistent delivery of accommodation for Travellers and to address the needs of all those experiencing homelessness, including Travellers.
