Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
281. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Department's financial support for the Traveller led approved housing body Cena including the possibility of funding provided by way of a service level agreement via the housing agency to assist in the development of culturally appropriate Traveller specific accommodation. [45881/22]
View answerMy Department is engaging with the AHB sector, including Cena, on its capacity to deliver Traveller specific accommodation as part of the ongoing work of the Programme Board, established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Expert Group Review report.
My Department funded Cena, through a service level agreement, to employ a part-time Tenant Liaison Officer in Carlow from July 2021 to June 2022 to guide and assist Traveller families in taking up new tenancies. In addition, Offaly County Council engaged the services of Cena to support tenants through a service level agreement, which was also funded by my Department. I also understand that the Housing Agency provided support for the work of Cena to build its capacity as a self sustaining standalone AHB through funding of a post over the past 3 years which recently came to its natural conclusion.
The capacity of AHBs, including Cena, to deliver Traveller specific accommodation remains part of the ongoing work of the Programme Board and is under ongoing consideration.
