Traveller Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2023

Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Questions (90, 99)

Bríd Smith

Question:

90. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to summarise his Department`s actions on exploring difficulties Travellers might have in opening and retaining social housing applications; if he acknowledges that his Department has given a commitment on this matter as part of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy/NTRIS (Action 130); the steps his Department has undertaken on this matter since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50052/23]

Mick Barry

Question:

99. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his Department’s actions in exploring difficulties Travellers might have in opening and retaining social housing applications since 2017, as per the Department’s commitment in action 130 of the National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50136/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 99 together.

In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, 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.

As part of the work of the Programme Board, established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Review report, work is ongoing on a number of actions in relation to social housing for members of the Traveller community. In particular, Regulation S.I. 73 of 2022 came into operation on 14 March 2022 allowing for the inclusion of a Traveller identifier on the statutory Social Housing Support application. This will support the monitoring and oversight of assessment and allocations to members of the Travelling community.