Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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64. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the expert group on Traveller accommodation. [24288/24]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister update the House on the implementation of the recommendations of the expert group on Traveller accommodation?

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Traveller accommodation 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 four categories. These are aimed at addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used; removing any potential delay and obstacle in the planning system in terms of delivery; increasing resources and delivery capacity; and strengthening governance arrangements. The programme board, established on foot of the Traveller accommodation expert review report, is making real progress in delivering on implementation of the recommendations in the report. To date, ten of the recommendations have been completed, with active progress under way on a further 17 recommendations.

The changes to the approach to funding implemented by the Department have led to full spend of the Traveller-specific accommodation budget for the past four years, from 2020 to 2023, resulting in cumulative capital investment of more than €80 million over this four-year period. This capital investment is delivering outcomes for Travellers through the delivery of new halting site bays, new group housing schemes and refurbished accommodation, making significant improvements in accommodation for Traveller families. The programme board continues to expedite the range of recommendations, and progress reports on implementation of the recommendations are published on the Department's website.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State. In my constituency there is a major development of the Spring Lane halting site. We have made a number of observations and Cork City Council has taken a lot of them on board. We have done a lot of work with the Traveller community on this site and with the broader community because we want the development to work. We particularly want it to work for the residents who live there because for decades their treatment has been shocking. We think the site needs to be managed and maintained. I am hopeful about it, given the work Cork City Council is doing, and I know it has been to the Department and number of committees outlining it.

There is also the issue of general Traveller accommodation. The way the Traveller community has been treated in the State has been shocking. They have been denied human rights through a lack of housing. In my constituency the number of Travellers in emergency accommodation is phenomenal.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I disagree with Deputy Gould's statement on how the Department is dealing with the Traveller community.

I am pleased to report full expenditure of over €36 million in total by local authorities relating to Traveller-specific accommodation was achieved in 2023. I recently had the opportunity to meet with the Irish Traveller Movement, with Bernard Joyce and his colleagues. We are continuing to provide support in whatever capacity we can and we will continue to do that throughout this year and next. We will look to continue that investment in respect of Traveller-specific accommodation and provide support through the Housing for All fund.