Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of applications for funding for Traveller specific accommodation submitted to his Department in 2015 and in 2016 by Sligo County Council; the decisions made to date on these applications; if these applications were granted or refused; if refused, the grounds under which they were refused; when decisions on the remainder of the applications will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33431/16]

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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194. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of funding sought and allocated to Sligo County Council in each of the years 2011 to 2015 and in 2016 to date, in respect of Traveller accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33432/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

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.

Local authorities adopted the fourth and current round of TAPs in April 2014, with the five-year rolling programmes running from 2014 to 2018. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department for traveller accommodation.

In 2015, Sligo County Council submitted two proposals for funding. One of these was a preliminary proposal and further details and costings were requested from the Council which have not yet been received. In relation to the second proposal, the Council was asked to submit a detailed appraisal that would address some concerns raised by my Department and no such appraisal has been received to date.

In 2016, the Council submitted three proposals for funding. The Council has been notified that indicative funding in relation to two of these proposals in the total amount of €192,292 has been approved. Indicative funding means that the Council will be eligible for a formal allocation and recoupment in 2017 should the proposals proceed. Further information has been requested of the Council in relation to the third proposal and a response is awaited from the Council in this regard.

Given the complexities and timelines associated with capital projects, the funding sought for individual projects can vary at different stages. However, the actual capital allocations and recoupments to Sligo County Council in respect of Traveller-specific accommodation for the years 2011 to 2016 are set out in the following table.