Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Traveller accommodation 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 four categories. These are aimed at addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used; removing any potential delay and obstacle in the planning system in terms of delivery; increasing resources and delivery capacity; and strengthening governance arrangements. The programme board, established on foot of the Traveller accommodation expert review report, is making real progress in delivering on implementation of the recommendations in the report. To date, ten of the recommendations have been completed, with active progress under way on a further 17 recommendations.

The changes to the approach to funding implemented by the Department have led to full spend of the Traveller-specific accommodation budget for the past four years, from 2020 to 2023, resulting in cumulative capital investment of more than €80 million over this four-year period. This capital investment is delivering outcomes for Travellers through the delivery of new halting site bays, new group housing schemes and refurbished accommodation, making significant improvements in accommodation for Traveller families. The programme board continues to expedite the range of recommendations, and progress reports on implementation of the recommendations are published on the Department's website.

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