I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together.
The 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.
My Department is committed to supporting Dublin City Council in the redevelopment of Labre Park. In April 2016, a Stage 1 application for the redevelopment of Labre Park was submitted to my Department, and in September 2016, my Department granted approval for a budget provision of €8.7m. In July 2019, a Stage 2 application was received by my Department and approval was granted subsequently for increased overall funding of €13.2m and in December 2022, a revised Stage 2 application was received by my Department. In February 2023, further information requested by my Department was submitted by the local authority and subsequently in July 2023 my Department granted approval for an increased overall budget provision of €16.7m for the redevelopment of Labre Park.
My Department provided this funding approval for the redevelopment of accommodation at Labre Park to support the long-term strategy for this site to provide quality accommodation to the residents which will address the current conditions on the site.
Separately, my Department sought further information in relation to a funding application for temporary improvement works previously carried out in response to the Hepatitis A outbreak and a response is awaited from the local authority. In parallel, my Department is also considering a further application for funding for additional temporary works in the context of the overall funding approval of €16.7m issued for the redevelopment of Labre Park.