Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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707. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to ensure that the overcrowding in an area (details supplied) is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42517/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, 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.

Management of Traveller sites, including the delivery and provision of accommodation, is a matter for the relevant housing authorities, in this case Cork City Council, and I have no function in the matter.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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708. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the oversight his Department has over Traveller engagement officer positions it funds; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that part the traveller engagement officer role includes a requirement to visit tenants in social housing and Traveller-specific accommodation but that no visits have taken place in Cork City Council's area to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42519/17]

Damien English (Meath West, 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 addition to capital funding supports, my Department provides current funding to local authorities towards the cost of accommodation-related supports.  This includes 90% of the salary costs of social workers employed by local authorities who work with Travellers in relation to accommodation issues.  I have no role in relation to the day-to-day work and functions undertaken by the social workers, which is a matter for the relevant housing authorities, in this case Cork City Council.