Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1222. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of mobile home units in each case that the local authorities have or are in the process of obtaining for self-isolation as per HSE Covid-19 guidelines (details supplied). [9020/20]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, I and my Department have engaged with local authorities and Traveller representative groups to put a 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.  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.

To date, the Department has approved funding for the provision of 62 mobiles to deal with over-crowding and for self-isolation purposes, as part of this response.  Local authorities are also providing  accommodation through a variety of social housing solutions.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1223. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans the local authorities are implementing to mitigate against Covid-19 infection amongst Traveller families (details supplied). [9021/20]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1224. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the services and facilities the local authorities have put in place for Traveller families during the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied). [9022/20]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1223 and 1224 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.   It is a matter for each local authority to assess the adequacy of provisions on sites (both authorised and unauthorised) and implement measures as necessary, taking into consideration advice from the HSE, fire safety guidelines, local area plans, public procurement guidelines and any other considerations relevant to their area.

In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, I and my Department have engaged with local authorities and Traveller representative groups to put a 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.  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.