Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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211. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the recommendation from the Traveller accommodation expert review group to repeal trespass laws is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8830/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report, published in July 2019, reviewed the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, and other legislation that impacts on the provision and delivery of accommodation for Travellers. The Expert Review report, which is intended to improve the effectiveness of the arrangements for providing accommodation for members of the Traveller community, has 32 recommendations across 4 categories which are aimed at:  

1. Addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;

2. Removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;

3. Increasing resources and delivery capacity; and

4. Strengthening governance arrangements.

Delivery and implementation of the recommendations will involve several areas within my Department as well as input from other Departments, local authorities and other external stakeholders.

A Programme Board established to drive implementation of the recommendations from the Expert Group report agreed a work programme which includes consideration of the recommendation regarding trespass laws.  The Programme Board recently agreed to report progress on implementation of the recommendations on my Department's website. It is expected that this information will be available shortly.