Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of mobile homes or caravans funded in 2020 and 2021 respectively by local authority, the Traveller accommodation unit of his Department through the special response to issues faced by the Traveller community due to the Covid-19 pandemic and poor living conditions on Traveller specific sites; the percentage of funding available in 2020 and 2021 to local authorities for these caravans; if in view of the ongoing and rapid spread of the omicron variant it is intended to provide the scheme again in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2776/22]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the grounds under which replacement mobile homes or caravans were funded by the Traveller accommodation unit of his Department as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 and 2022; if it is intended to have a similar scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2777/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

It is my Department’s policy that, where there is a requirement identified by a local authority for Traveller accommodation, it is to provide permanent accommodation insofar as possible, while at the same time respecting the nomadic tradition of the Traveller community. However, cognisant of emergencies which arise from time to time which by their nature cannot be planned for or anticipated, my Department does provides funding to local authorities of up to 50% to assist with the cost of purchase of emergency replacement mobile caravans.

As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, replacement mobile homes or caravans are also funded by my Department having regard to the immediate public health emergency arising where local authorities have assessed and identified the need, and this remains in place for the duration of the pandemic. Funding in excess of 50% was provided where a local authority made a case where their budget was not sufficient to provide the balance of funding required.

The information requested is set out in the Tables below:

No. of Covid mobiles per LA 2021

No. of Covid mobiles per LA for 2020

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the standards that were laid down to local authorities in relation to mobile homes or caravans funded by the Traveller accommodation unit in his Department as a response to Covid-19; the person or body that verified that all caravans or mobile homes bought for Travellers were of adequate standard; if all these units were new or whether local authorities could purchase second-hand ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2778/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that 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 has not issued any mandatory standards to local authorities regarding mobile homes or caravans and does not have a role in the day-to-day operational delivery of Traveller Accommodation.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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221. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason funding for local authority owned replacement and new caravan and mobile homes for Travellers are only funded to local authorities at a rate of 50%; his views on whether this is inhibiting local authorities from replacing substandard caravans and mobile home in good time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2783/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that 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 does not have a role in the day-to-day running of Traveller Accommodation.

It is my Department’s policy that, where there is a requirement identified by a local authority for Traveller accommodation, it is to provide permanent accommodation insofar as possible, while at the same time respecting the nomadic tradition of the Traveller community. However, cognisant of emergencies which arise from time to time which by their nature cannot be planned for or anticipated, my Department does provides funding to local authorities of up to 50% to assist with the cost of purchase of emergency replacement mobile caravan. 

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when it is intended to roll-out the caravan loan scheme for Travellers nationwide in view of the high number of substandard units around the country which causes particular hardship at this time of year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2784/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department sought and received sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to roll out a pilot Caravan Loan Scheme to improve access to traditional Traveller-specific accommodation options for Traveller families.

Following consultation with stakeholders, including the local authorities, the National Traveller MABS and Traveller representative organisations, a pilot scheme was designed and commenced by my Department in July of 2021 for a trial period of 6 months.  The participating local authorities are Cork City Council, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council and Limerick City and County Council.

My Department will now review the operation of the pilot scheme with input from the local authorities and other stakeholders.  A report will be prepared for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform  and options for the expansion of the pilot scheme will be considered at the conclusion of this process.