Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
315. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application has been submitted by Cork City Council for funding for emergency funding to replace mobile homes/caravans used for Traveller housing damaged during Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33274/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
My Department, cognisant of emergencies which arise from time to time which by their nature cannot be planned for or anticipated, has a well established scheme in place to provide funding to local authorities of up to 50% to assist with the cost of purchase of emergency replacement mobiles and caravans for Travellers. It is open to local authorities to submit an application for funding for an emergency replacement mobile at any time on foot of an unanticipated emergency, e.g. such as flood/storm/fire damage, that would render a caravan uninhabitable or dangerous to live in, including in the case of storm Éowyn. Applications must be on the basis of a particular emergency explaining the circumstances involved. Applications are assessed and dealt with in a timely manner, recognising the emergency nature of the scheme.
My Department engages with the local authorities, including Cork City Council, where applications are made for emergency replacement mobiles. I understand that Cork City Council is considering its options relating to mobiles found to be damaged following storm Éowyn. Details on any planned applications by local authorities for Emergency Replacement Mobiles may be available directly from the local authorities, including Cork City Council.
