Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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414. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when it is intended to re-open the caravan loan scheme for the Traveller community; if funding will be made available to fund a replacement caravan for all those that are eligible and need one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12696/23]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

The Act 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.

The nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme concluded at the end of 2022 and my Department is currently reviewing the operation of the pilot scheme with input from local authorities and other stakeholders. A report is being prepared and options for a further scheme are being considered as part of this review.