Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this very important matter. The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that local 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 in their areas in order to meet the identified accommodation need. The role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

Traveller-specific projects and developments are focused on group housing schemes and halting sites. This includes meeting Traveller-specific housing needs through a range of mechanisms, including the provision of mobiles and caravans, the provision and refurbishment of halting sites, the provision of refurbishment and extension of group housing and the return to use of vacant group housing. The 2022 budget provision is €18 million, an increase of €2.5 million on 2021. The full capital provision of €15.5 million was expended in 2021 providing Traveller-specific accommodation, delivering new group housing and refurbishing existing halting sites and group housing, including acquisitions.

As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a range of measures are funded by the Traveller accommodation support unit of my Department under the terms set out in a 2020 circular which remains in place and which is being kept under review given that the Traveller community is still facing the challenges arising from the disease, as are we all. The range of measures introduced were designed to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and lessen the risk of infection, especially among vulnerable groups. Some members of the Traveller community, particularly those living on sites with limited facilities, may be particularly vulnerable and extra measures needed to be put in place to protect Travellers living in Traveller-specific accommodation in each local authority area.

My Department continues to support local authorities in delivery of the Traveller accommodation plans and ongoing Covid mitigation measures. My officials understand that the Fingal County Council is engaging families on the site in question and will continue to work with the families to meet their housing needs. Meeting the needs of all Traveller communities continues to be a priority for the local authorities and my Department, under my leadership.

In respect of this specific case, my officials have sought a response from Fingal County Council and are exploring options available to provide a solution in this instance. While there is no public water connection to this unofficial site, Fingal County Council is continuing to deliver drinking water to the unauthorised site regularly. Officials from Fingal County Council have been in ongoing engagement with families on this site. I have spoken with officials from the council and understand that they are happy to meet with Deputy Ellis at the site or, if he chooses, in their offices to discuss the matter and to brief him on the current position including the accommodation needs of the families in question, access to safe drinking water and ongoing legal and internal issues.

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