Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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724. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation providing a specific update on each recommendation; and if he plans to bring forward legislation to address the issues of Part 8 planning applications and section 183 land disposals as recommended by the group. [15669/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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On the matter of the recommendations in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report, there are 32 recommendations which can be broken down into 4 categories which are aimed at:

- addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;

- removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;

- increasing resources and delivery capacity; and

- strengthening governance arrangements.

The recommendations have been categorised  into  separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require the commission of further independent research.

Prior to the establishment of a Programme Board to drive implementation of recommendations from the expert group Report, my Department has been progressing a  number of recommendations and consulting with and reporting on progress to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee. For example, a review has been concluded of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and refurbishment of Traveller specific accommodation and a new process implemented for the 2020 allocation of funding.

The Programme Board has now been established and it will meet shortly to agree terms of reference and its work programme.