Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
184. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate the reason that South Dublin County Council did not build the housing promised to residents of Owendoher Haven Ballyboden, given that just over one-third of the annual budget for Traveller-specific accommodation had been spent up until August 2022 with SDCC listed as a local authority that had not drawn down any funding yet. [57078/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. It is therefore a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case South Dublin County Council, regarding the assessment and provision of accommodation for Travellers. Further information may be available from the local authority.
I wrote recently to all local authorities encouraging them to continue to seek funding from the €18 million budget provision for 2022 to ensure continued full spend of the budget to deliver the necessary provision and maintenance of Traveller-specific accommodation.
