Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have made some changes already. This came up on Committee Stage at the joint committee and there was a good discussion around it. I brought in an amendment on Report Stage. I believe the LDA can add value here.

The Government and I have always completely supported the provision of Traveller accommodation. I have always done so right through and I feel strongly about it. This year we have seen an increase in the budget for Traveller accommodation of €15.5 million and it will all be spent. Points have been made around underspend and they are correct. Some local authorities have underspent. This year that will not happen. The Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Peter Burke, is doing a really good job in this area.

I will not be accepting amendments Nos. 6 and 31 but I want to explain why. I brought an amendment on Report Stage in the Dáil to insert an expanded provision in section 15. That is in place. It is to ensure that when local authorities request the services of the LDA in respect of the development of large-scale sites in areas with a population greater than 30,000 - this is the area where the LDA will be operating - the agency can, where appropriate, assist in the delivery of Traveller-specific accommodation.

One thing I do not want - I do not believe Senators want this either - is for local authorities to be uncertain about their role. The provision of Traveller-specific accommodation is a matter for local authorities. I have no wish to undermine the role of a local authority or the view of the role a local authority has. There may be an unintended consequence if we were to move this role towards the LDA. I realise Senators have no wish for that to happen. I have changed section 15 following good discussions at the joint committee in this regard to ensure that Traveller accommodation is specifically mentioned. Nevertheless, we need to be clear that the relevant local authority in any given area is the body responsible and resourced for the provision of good-quality Traveller accommodation.

Thankfully, this year we will see the capital budget fully expended. Last year, the allocation was over €14 million. In 2020 all of the capital envelope was spent, as is appropriate, for the first time in six years. We need to continue that. Unfortunately, I cannot accept the amendments.