Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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46. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the appointment of an expert group to review the legislation underpinning the Traveller accommodation programmes. [19787/18]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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In line with the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland, in 2017 the Housing Agency commissioned an expert, independent review of funding for traveller-specific accommodation to date. This review had regard to targets contained in the local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes and actual units delivered, the current status of accommodation funded and funding provided for accommodation maintenance and other supports.

Following its consideration of the review, the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee agreed to the establishment of an Expert Group to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation. The Committee also recommended that a review of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 should be undertaken as part of the work of the Expert Group. I welcome and support such a review given that the Act is operational 20 years this year.

The Committee played a key role in determining the terms of reference for the Expert Group which have recently been finalised. It is my intention to establish the group as soon as possible with a view to it concluding its work within a short timeframe. My Department will consider any recommendations made by the Expert Group to improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally and to ensure that full use is made of the increasing level of funding available for investment in Traveller accommodation.