Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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652. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the supports that have been made available to local authorities to carry out a census of Traveller accommodation needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39628/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, the 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.

My Department’s overall capital and current budgets for Traveller accommodation and support in 2021 is €21.381million. Social Workers and Traveller Accommodation Liaison Officers are employed by local authorities to provide support for Traveller families. They play a key role in the collation of the annual estimate of traveller families within each local authority area and 90% funding support for these posts is provided by my Department on an annual basis.

My Department's budget for Traveller-specific Accommodation Supports in 2021 is €15.5m, an increase of €1m on the previous year. It is open to all local authorities to apply for and draw down funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department. Officials from my Department will continue to make regular contact with each local authority throughout 2021 to support and facilitate the development of effective Traveller accommodation projects.