Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
675. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason only two caravans were granted to Clare under the caravan loan scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48573/23]
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.
The 2023/24 pilot Caravan Loan Scheme provides for 80 caravans or a provision of €3.2 million, whichever is the lessor. The respective allocation to each local authority from this overall provision is based proportionately on the number of Traveller families residing on halting sites within each local authority area. This resulted in an allocation of two loans for Clare County Council.
