Traveller Accommodation

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Questions (102)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

102. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is intended to reopen the caravan loan scheme in 2023; when it is likely this scheme will open, in view of the urgent need for such a scheme due to the unacceptable and inhumane conditions Travellers in substandard caravans are living in; whether any new scheme will be needs-based rather than, as happened in 2022, based on a very limited and inadequate number of replacement caravans being made available through each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29937/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

The Act 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.

The nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme concluded at the end of 2022. My Department has completed a review of the operation of the pilot scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. A report has been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform which is currently under consideration, with an outcome expected shortly.