Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019
629. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the work of the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and the independent expert group established to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16505/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC) was established under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 to advise the Minister in relation to Traveller accommodation issues generally.
In line with the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland, and reflecting the disappointing level of overall funding drawdown in recent years, the Housing Agency, in 2017, commissioned a review of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation. Following its consideration of the review, the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee recommended that an independent expert group be established to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation. My Department established an Expert Group in September 2018, which has been tasked with reviewing the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and all other legislation that affects the delivery of Traveller Accommodation. I have asked the Expert Group to bring forward recommendations that will improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally. I understand that the Group will submit its report shortly.
My Department will consider any recommendations made by the Expert Group that improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally and help to ensure that full use is made of the increasing level of funding available for investment in Traveller accommodation.
