A significant underspend has been revealed on traveller accommodation in 2019, with only a third of €13 million funding utilised so far.

Around €4 million of the budget has been drawn down to date this year, which means nearly 70% remains with only six weeks left before the end of 2019.

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD obtained the figures in response to a parliamentary question.

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Deputy Ó Broin has called on Minister Damien English to press ahead with recommendations of the expert group as a matter of urgency.

"Some local authorities are continuing to underspend on traveller accommodation, with 14 local authorities failing to draw down any funding yet this year," he said.

"2019 is currently on track to be the greatest underspend since I started tracking this.

"In 2018 there was 48% underspend in traveller accommodation budget by local authorities.

"It was a similar story in 2017 where only €4.8m was drawn down out of a budget of €8.7m.

"Minister English must implement the recommendations of the expert group on Traveller accommodation as a matter of urgency."

(CM/JG)