Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Travellers represented 52% of homeless persons in County Clare in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55132/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and via the Government’s Open Data Portal, at data.gov.ie/

The most recently published data is in respect of September 2021 and shows that there were 61 adults in emergency accommodation in Clare during the September count week, a reduction of 9% on the position one year previously.  County Clare is part of the Mid West region for the purposes of homeless reporting, along with Limerick City and County Council. The combined Mid West region reported 32 families, with 52 dependants associated with these families, in emergency accommodation in September 2021.

My Department does not collate specific data relating to ethnicity for the purposes of provision of emergency accommodation for homeless households. However, I am aware that Travellers are notably represented amongst the homeless population and my Department is working closely with local authorities to address the needs of all those experiencing homelessness, including Traveller households.

Supporting all individuals and families experiencing homelessness is a key Government priority. 'Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, sets an ambitious objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge.

Through Housing for All, the Government is committed to taking action to prevent entries into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies.  It also provides for enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to help those who are long-term homeless exit homelessness and maintain their home.  Housing for All recognises the importance of addressing Traveller accommodation needs as a priority and commits to working with local authorities to improve the quantity and quality of Traveller-specific accommodation.