Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy has rightly outlined, this piece of work from the expert group was put together due to serious shortfalls in delivery of Traveller accommodation throughout the country. Having sat on our own local Traveller accommodation consultative committee, LTACC, for a number of years, it was frustrating for me to see the low level of delivery. That was probably reflected throughout the country and certainly with Traveller-specific accommodation and meeting the changing needs of Traveller families. That is why this piece of work was and is important and is being given due consideration by the Government.

As I understand it, the expert review report recommended four categories of delivery. Category A, on delivery reflecting need, aimed to address deficiencies in how information is gathered and used. Category B, on planning, which was referenced and I will go into that in a moment, aimed at removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery. Category C, on capacity and resources, aimed at increasing resources in delivery capacity. Category D, on governance, aimed at strengthening governance arrangements. The programme board selected 27 out of the 32 recommendations for inclusion in the ongoing works programme. To date, ten of those 27 recommendations have been completed. Of those ten recommendations relating to category B, planning, four are entirely completed while the remaining are continuing to progress.

I will start with recommendations B2 and B3, which were mentioned specifically by the Deputy. He referenced a number of others as well, including a recommendation to "suspend the reserved function of elected members for approval of Part 8 proposals for Traveller accommodation". That is part of an ongoing work programme. A temporary exemption has been provided for local authorities from the Part 8 approval process to construct housing developments on designated zoned local authority-owned and State-owned lands, including lands zoned for residential use, subject to compliance with the requirements of the recently inserted section 179A of the Planning and Development Act.

Recommendation B3 refers to putting in place "legislative provisions to provide an alternative and direct route ... for Traveller-specific accommodation to An Bord Pleanála". That is also part of an ongoing work programme and is going to be reviewed in light of the discontinuation of the strategic housing development process. What other recommendations did the Deputy mention?