Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:99. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a copy of a circular (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41865/23]
View answerWednesday, 27 September 2023
Questions (99, 100, 101)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:100. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a circular (details supplied) was not published on the official Government website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41866/23]
View answerViolet-Anne Wynne
Question:101. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason he will not publish a report of a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41868/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
My Department completed a review of the operation of the Nationwide Pilot Caravan Loan Scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. The purpose of the review is to inform the continued operation of the pilot scheme and it is an internal report which supported the continuation of the pilot and therefore not intended for publication.
A circular on the ‘Continuation of Nationwide Pilot Caravan Loan Scheme’ issued to all local authorities on the 4 July 2023. The circular encourages local authorities to engage, through their Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, with Traveller families in their respective areas and any other representative channels they may wish to liaise with to raise awareness of the pilot loan scheme. My Department does not routinely publish circulars as these are generally direct communications with local authorities on policy and operational matters for direct action.
The information requested regarding the circular on the continuation of nationwide pilot caravan loan scheme will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.