Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
294. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the perceived crisis in relation to the provision of Traveller housing nationally; the steps he will take to deal with this issue and ensure that the legal obligations in this regard are fulfilled by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6083/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, 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. Capital funding of €9m for Traveller-specific accommodation is being provided in 2017, an increase of €3.5m (64% increase) on the 2016 allocation. This is the third consecutive year that the Traveller Accommodation capital budget has been increased.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to establishing a special working group to audit the current delivery and implementation of local authorities’ Traveller Accommodation Plans and consult with stakeholders on key areas of concern. This commitment has been underpinned in the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which provides for the commissioning by the Housing Agency of an expert, independent review of expenditure on, and delivery of, Traveller Accommodation to underpin the work of the special working group.
The review, which will have regard to the targets contained in the local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes, has already commenced and is due to be completed in quarter 2 of 2017. It will provide factual information and thus provide a key platform for the special working group to progress its work effectively. The working group will be established by the statutorily appointed National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC) immediately after completion of the review. I expect the working group to complete its work in an expeditious manner and, as provided for in the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, the National Committee may then advise me in relation to any appropriate measures for improving the provision and management of accommodation at local level.
