Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
27. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the mid-term review of the Traveller accommodation programmes and wider implementation of the recommendations of the expert group report on Traveller accommodation. [47282/22]
View answerThe 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 the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The current TAPs run from July 2019 to June 2024. Section 17(1)(a) of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, provides that a relevant housing authority shall review its TAP at least once in each three year period, or at such time as directed by the Minister.
In July 2022, local authorities were directed to commence the mid-term review of their TAPs and my Department will establish an overall position as soon as all local authorities have completed the process. The completion of the mid-term review by local authorities and subsequent submission to my Department is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
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 involves several areas within my Department, as well as input from other Departments, local authorities and other external stakeholders.
The Programme Board, established to drive implementation of the recommendations from the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations on my Department's website. The progress report provides an update on the work of the Programme Board and each of the recommendations and is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/37910-traveller-accommodation-expert-review-programme-board-update/
