Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has had contact with local authorities in respect of improved Traveller accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16027/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes, designed to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department's role is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial system in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation.

The current round of Traveller accommodation programmes will run until 2013 and local authorities have been requested to carry out a review of their programmes by 31 December 2011. My Department oversees the implementation, through the local authorities, of the programmes. Regular contact is maintained with the local authorities in regard to the provision of appropriate and high-quality Traveller specific accommodation and refurbishment works, funded through my Department, in addition to Traveller housing needs being met through the mainstream social housing programme. I am also advised by the statutory National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee in relation to Traveller accommodation matters more generally.