Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
255. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish as a priority the Traveller accommodation authority and oversee national delivery to address supply, chronic overcrowding, and inadequate accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61044/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, published in July 2019, reviewed the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, and other legislation that impacts on the provision and delivery of accommodation for Travellers.
The Expert Review report, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accommodation for members of the Traveller community, has 32 recommendations across 4 categories which are aimed at:
Addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
Removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
Increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
Strengthening governance arrangements.
A Programme Board was established to drive implementation of the recommendations from the Expert Group report. The Programme Board has agreed a work programme which includes consideration of the recommendation regarding a Traveller accommodation authority. Discussion within the Programme Board on this recommendation is actively ongoing.
The Programme Board agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations on my Department's website and this can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/37910-traveller-accommodation-expert-review-programme-board-update/.
