Written answers

Thursday, 16 June 2016

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Traveller Accommodation

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Traveller-specific housing will come under the remit of the new special delivery unit being established to drive specific house building projects from start to finish, given the exceptional housing issues Travellers face and the lack of progress for many years in dealing with these issues; if the establishment of this unit will provide a quicker planning route for such housing independent of local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16587/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing 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 (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role 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.

In terms of expediting the delivery of Traveller-specific accommodation, the approach to be followed will be guided by the implementation of the Programme for PartnershipGovernmentcommitment ‘to establish a special working group to audit the current delivery and implementation of local authorities’ Traveller Accommodation Plans and consult with stakeholders on key areas of concern. The group should report a plan for the delivery of safe, culturally appropriate accommodation.’

In order to progress this commitment, the Housing Agency is being asked, in the first instance, to commission an independent review of Traveller accommodation expenditure and delivery of units, having regard to the targets contained in the local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes. These are 5-year rolling programmes prepared and published by each local authority for the provision of Traveller accommodation in their areas. These programmes are subject to comprehensive local stakeholder and public consultation, including members and representatives of the Traveller community. In parallel, the composition and terms of reference of the working group to be established under the Programme for Government commitment will be scoped by the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC), which comprises key stakeholders including representatives of the Traveller community, and submitted to me for consideration. This is in accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 which provides, inter alia, that the NTACC may advise the Minister on general matters concerning the preparation, adequacy, implementation and co-ordination of traveller accommodation programmes. The independent review commissioned by the Housing Agency will provide factual information and a key platform for the working group to progress its work effectively.

While the timing of the finalisation of the work of the working group will be dependent upon its terms of reference and work programme, I will be mandating the group to complete their report in the earliest time possible.

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