Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
649. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the budget for Traveller accommodation in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown local authority area; the amount spent to date or most recently of this budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39625/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
Following a review of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and related supports of Traveller specific accommodation a new allocation process was implemented for 2020. My Department has ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities. Instead, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department.
My Department’s overall capital and current budgets for Traveller accommodation and support in 2021 is €21.381million. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has not recouped funds from this budget to date in 2021.
