368. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to re-open the caravan loan scheme; the reason for the delay with this when many Traveller families are living in very poor accommodation on halting sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36054/24]

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.

My Department completed a comprehensive review of the nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme which operated across 2023/2024. The review included engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders to inform the evaluation of the pilot scheme. Options for a national scheme are currently under consideration with the intention that a proposal for a further scheme will be brought forward later this year as planned.