Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the provisions made for members of the Mincéirí in overcrowded accommodation with little access to water during the Covid-19 outbreak (details supplied). [4984/20]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 response to the COVID-19 health emergency, I and my Department have engaged with local authorities and Traveller representative groups to put a fast, responsive plan in place to address identified and emerging health risks to the Traveller population nationwide, particularly as some members of the Traveller community, such as those living on sites with limited facilities, may be particularly vulnerable.

On 18 March, my Department wrote to each local authority in relation to measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and lessen the risk of infection to families residing in Traveller specific accommodation. Local authorities were advised that my Department has funding available for essential mitigation works and that any such requests will be afforded full priority. Works identified include extra toilets or temporary sanitary blocks, running water, additional accommodation where there is overcrowding, site clean-ups and extra refuse collection, and additional units on-site or elsewhere as space permits in order to allow for self-isolation/quarantine. Many of these solutions have been, or are in the process of being, implemented on sites throughout the country and my Department has been very clear that these provisions will apply to both authorised and unauthorised sites for the duration of this crisis.

My Department is in regular contact with the local authorities and is ensuring that funding approvals, where appropriate, are granted as a matter of priority.