Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely acknowledge the points the Senator makes on the specific vulnerability of Traveller families regarding housing and how disproportionately they are affected by homelessness. As I have said, however, local authority housing is not covered under this Bill. Quite a number of Traveller families are renting in the private market, or through HAP or RAS, and they have protections there. Similarly, regarding Traveller-specific accommodation, local authorities have services in place to support tenancy and stability among families. If it is of help, I will discuss this correspondence with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and ask that the circular he is going to issue to local authorities be mindful of the specific vulnerability of Traveller families.