Written Answers Nos. 577-593
577. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the protections in place to prevent rent increases for those whose income has been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions beyond 30 November 2020. [32371/20]
View answer619. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a ban on rent increases will be considered for the duration of the level 5 restrictions in view of the fact that this occurred during the previous lockdown. [33141/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 619 together.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2020 was enacted and came into operation on 24 October 2020 to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on tenants and to support the efforts of Government in restricting the movement of people in order to suppress the spread of Covid 19. The Act modifies the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 to prevent any notices of termination served by landlords, in all but limited cases such as anti-social behaviour, from taking effect in geographical locations and during periods specified by the Minister for Health in Regulations made by him under section 31A of the Health Act 1947 in respect of which a restriction applies on the movement of people outside a 5 km radius of their place of residence.
This Act operates in parallel with the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 which came into effect from 1 August 2020 to provide enhanced protections for those tenants who are facing rent arrears due to Covid-19 and, as a result, are at risk of losing their tenancy.
If a tenant’s ability to pay rent has been impacted by Covid-19 and the tenant meets specific criteria, new procedures and protections apply. Tenants who follow these procedures cannot be required to vacate their rental accommodation before 11 January 2021, and are not required to pay any rent increase in respect of the period ending 10 January 2021.
Tenants who are currently (or at any stage between 9 March 2020 and 10 January 2021):
in receipt of (or entitled to receive) Illness Benefit for Covid-19 absence - further information available at - https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/); or
in receipt of (or entitled to receive) the Temporary Wage Subsidy, Employment Wage Subsidy or any other social welfare payment or State support paid as a result of loss of earnings due to Covid-19 (this includes the rent supplement or a supplementary welfare allowance);
and
at risk of losing their tenancy,
can receive the aforementioned protections to remain in their tenancy without any increase in rent until 11 January 2021.
In order to qualify for these supports, tenants must complete and sign a Self-Declaration form, available on the Residential Tenancies Boards (RTB) website - www.rtb.ie, if they meet the above criteria and submit it to the RTB and their landlord.
The RTB and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) are working with tenants in rent arrears to outline the financial supports which may be available to enable the tenant to meet their rental obligations to sustain their tenancy.
My Department has published a guidance document, the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020: What this Means for Landlords and Tenants, which sets out exactly what is expected as the rental protections under the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 expire, and provides details on the new protections for tenants in rent arrears and the income and other supports available to tenants and landlords.
This guidance document clearly explains the new rent arrears procedure for both landlords and tenants facing rent arrears. The Guidance document is available on the Department's website - www.housing.gov.ie - and on the RTB's website - www.rtb.ie.
Tenants are required to pay rent to their landlord and, in the event of tenants having difficulty doing so on foot of Covid-19, they are encouraged to engage with their landlords at the earliest opportunity.
Many Government Departments, agencies and organisations are engaged in supporting landlords and tenants during this time, providing information, advice and income supports to those who are facing financial difficulty. Tenants facing difficulty in meeting the rental payments should engage with the Department of Social Protection (D/SP) as income supports such as Rent Supplement and Social Welfare Allowances are available to assist them. Further information on these supports can be found by calling the D/SP Income Support Helpline for Covid-19 on 1890 800 024 or by visiting the D/SP website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection/.
With Government funding, Threshold, the national housing charity, operates the Tenancy Protection Service. Further information is available on www.threshold.ie. The homeless and housing sections in local authorities continue to assist those who are not in a position to provide accommodation for themselves.
My Department and the RTB urge landlords to consider the negative impacts of Covid-19 on their tenants and to show forbearance where temporary rent arrears might arise. Tenants and landlords are urged to discuss any problems promptly, keep lines of communication open and respect each other’s positions. If the problem cannot be resolved, registered landlords and all tenants can apply to the RTB for dispute resolution. Further information is available on www.rtb.ie.
The Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 targets enhanced protections to the most vulnerable tenants until 10 January 2021 and respects the constitutionally protected property rights of landlords. I have no plans to introduce a blanket ban on rent increases.
578. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if under the latest level 5 restrictions the statutory time frames for the planning process and judicial review process will be suspended or extended, as was the case during the last lockdown. [32383/20]
View answer592. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 6 October 2020, if he will reconsider granting an order to extend planning time periods in view of the introduction of level 5 restrictions nationwide. [32616/20]
View answer593. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the deadline in respect of strategic housing development, SHD, (details supplied) will be extended and other SHD applications to allow a fair consultation process to take place in view of the fact that due to current level 5 restrictions and closure of public offices access for the purposes of inspection of the application will not readily be available at the offices of An Bord Pleanála and Fingal County Council, and this will impact on the ability of members of the public to make an informed submission or observation within the five-week deadline in writing to An Bord Pleanála. [32669/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 592 and 593 together.
Under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) I am specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. Consequently, I may not seek to influence the outcome of, or comment on, any individual planning cases.
The planning system remains fully operational during the current Level 5 restrictions. My Department issued a Planning Circular on this matter - PL09/2020 and an accompanying Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on 23 October 2020 regarding the operation of the Planning system during the current Level 5 restrictions.
For the purpose of giving legal effect to the Level 5 restrictions announced by the Government, new Regulations have been made by the Minister for Health entitled the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 448 of 2020) which will continue in operation until 1 December 2020. These Regulations define an “essential service” as a service specified in Part 2 of the Schedule to the Regulations which includes Class 14 relating to Public Administration, Emergency Services and Defence, within which the planning system is explicitly classified as an “essential service”:
“(y) statutory planning system activities, insofar they cannot be carried out remotely".
This classification therefore enables planning authority and An Bord Pleanála staff to travel to and from their offices as may be required for the performance of their statutory functions. It also enables such staff to perform related statutory functions including site visits and inspections as well as enforcement activity subject to public health and social distancing requirements.
In addition, for the purpose of facilitating continued public participation in the planning process during the Level 5 restrictions, Regulation 5(2) of the above Regulations further explicitly provides that attendance at a planning office is a valid reason for travelling in order to -
“(y) attend the offices of a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála to engage in a statutory planning process (including making or inspecting a planning application or appeal, making an observation or submission or participating in a Development Plan process) or inspect a site notice (within the meaning of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000)).”.
It should also be noted in this context that planning authorities are required under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 38) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 180 of 2020) to upload planning applications and related documentation onto their internet websites within 5 working days of receipt or, where exceptional circumstances exist, as soon as practicable thereafter.
These measures enable members of the public to view documentation online and at planning offices and facilitates planning applications, appeals or other submissions to be made during the Level 5 restrictions. These arrangements may include provision for attendance by appointment so that public health and social distancing requirements can be observed by both staff and customers.
With regard to judicial reviews of points of law in relation to planning decisions, provision already exists under Section 50(8) of the Act for the High Court to grant an extension to the period for leave to apply for judicial review where there is sufficient reason to do so, and the circumstances that resulted in the failure to make the application for leave within the period so provided were outside the control of the applicant for the extension.
My Department will continue to monitor the ongoing situation with regard to Covid-19 and may introduce measures as appropriate, if required.
579. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 13 October 2020, if the schemes that he refers to includes the pyrite remediation scheme; and if not, the reason. [32487/20]
View answerThe response provided under Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 13 October 2020 specifically related to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, and did not include the Pyrite Remediation scheme.
The regulations underpinning the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme came in to operation on 31 January 2020. The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo only, to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks containing either pyrite or mica.
Separately and distinctly, the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provided the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB), and for the making of a Pyrite Remediation Scheme, to be implemented by the PRB with support from the Housing Agency. The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, for example, such as pyrite or mica in concrete blocks.
580. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the separate financial supports available to the large numbers of families in County Donegal reporting that they cannot afford to avail of the defective concrete blocks grant under the 10% contribution requirement; and the role of the banks and financial institutions in this regard. [32488/20]
View answerThe Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme provides financial assistance to support affected homeowners to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks.
The Scheme outlines five remedial options ranging from rebuilding on existing foundations to replacing of external walls. The maximum approved costs per dwelling under the scheme are significant and range from €55,000 to €275,000 depending on the remedial option. A grant of 90% of the approved costs associated with the necessary remediation works, subject to a maximum for each remedial option, or 90% of the actual cost of the remedial works, whichever is the lesser, is available under the scheme. This is in line with similar Government grant schemes where an applicant contribution to the costs is an important requirement.
In terms of finance provided by financial institutions to homeowners, this is a matter for individual homeowners and the institutions involved.
581. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further funding will be available to fund the defective concrete blocks grant should the amounts sought by the affected families exceed that provided for in budget 2021. [32489/20]
View answerBudget 2021 provides funding of €20 million to fund the operation of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme for the counties of Donegal and Mayo.
My Department is satisfied that the budget which has been made available should be adequate to meet anticipated demand in 2021.
582. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a housing unit that has been assigned as a Traveller specific unit can be reallocated to the general housing stock if required. [32491/20]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, 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 in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
In cases where a housing unit is purchased with funding from my Department's Traveller-specific accommodation capital budget, local authorities are requested to confirm that the housing unit will be kept as part of Traveller accommodation stock.
583. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide grant support for the restoration of derelict and traditional cottages and houses particularly those that are included on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32502/20]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF).
The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals. The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic buildings, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public.
This year 450 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a combined sum of over €4.3m under these schemes. In addition a further €1m was announced recently for built heritage projects under the Government's July Jobs Stimulus Package. The funding will supplement 28 projects already approved under the BHIS and HSF, as well as 13 new projects categorised as urgent built heritage works.
Both schemes could potentially provide support for the restoration of eligible derelict and traditional cottages and houses. Applications for funding under the 2021 schemes will open later this month and full details will be available on my Department’s website and on each local authority’s website.
In addition, my Department is currently preparing a three-year strategy for vernacular houses and other structures which is intended to address various issues, including dereliction. With appropriate advice and support frameworks, such structures could be rehabilitated as viable places to live in. It is hoped that the various actions proposed in the strategy will also help to reinforce a sense of place, community and local pride. My Department will be working closely with local authorities and other bodies to ensure the actions are implemented.
584. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the works related to the Ulster Canal that are to be completed in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32503/20]
View answerPhase 1 of the Restoration of the Ulster Canal was completed in 2019 comprising the opening of circa 2.5km of new navigation from Upper Lough Erne near Quivvy Lough along the River Finn to Castle Saunderson.
This consisted of dredging of the River Finn, construction of a short length of new lateral canal together with a new navigation arch beside Derrykerrib Bridge on the River Finn and the installation of a new jetty at Castle Saunderson.
Ulster Canal Restoration (Phase II)
Waterways Ireland secured €324,000 of Rural Regional Development Funding in late 2019 and a further 25% of match funding from my Department.
This has enabled the Agency in 2020 to carry out preliminary engineering studies to progress the restoration of an 800m reach of canal between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan, including a canal basin and amenity area in Clones as part of Phase 2 of the restoration.
These studies have included a commission to investigate sourcing a sustainable water supply, site investigation work in order to facilitate the development of design proposals and associated project estimates, an economic appraisal focusing on the Phase 2 proposal and a tourism and recreation study to assess the opportunity to develop a water-sports and leisure facilities adjacent to the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre in Clones. Work relating to land requirements and purchase arrangements for this section of the restoration has also commenced.
This work is being completed in advance of, and to facilitate the submission of a Category 1 application to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund by the 1st December 2020.
Subject to securing investment for this phase of the restoration Waterways Ireland propose delivering this phase of the restoration over the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. This would include the construction of approximately 800m of canal from the existing Canal Stores in Clones to the Border at Clonfad, construction of a new canal basin and amenity area, construction of two new access bridges, restoration of an existing masonry arch bridge and construction of towpaths along the banks creating a looped walkway along the canal.
Ulster Canal Greenway
The Ulster Canal Greenway project will create 22km of new cross-border greenway between Smithborough and Middletown.
In 2016 the project was granted €4.95m through the INTERREG VA Sustainable Transport Measure. Joint implementation is being achieved through a Project Steering Group (PSG) comprising Waterways Ireland as Lead Partner and Monaghan County Council (MCC), Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC), and East Border Region Ltd.
The development of the Ulster Canal Greenway is in line with commitments of the New Decade, New Approach and the Programme for Government on the development of greenways in border areas.
The Greenway project is made up of two stages:
Stage 1 is the section with the cross-border element - Monaghan town to Middletown with planning applications on both sides of the border due to be submitted in November 2020.
Stage 2 - Smithborough to Monaghan town – Plans are being progressed with planning approval expected to be in place by mid-2021.
In the latter part of 2021 preparation of tender documents for construction works will be commenced.
In 2022 the tender for construction will be finalised, tenders will be sought and the construction contract(s) will be awarded. The construction phase will commence and continue through to 2023. It is expected that the Greenway will be ready for use in mid-2023. Council staff will jointly develop and co-ordinate delivery of Community Engagement Programmes in each council area to promote use of the developed greenway.
585. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the staffing shortages in the Dublin Fire Brigade; the impact of retirements on the staffing levels and the need to recruit additional staff to keep pace with retirements; if there are plans for additional recruitment once the December 2020 intake have started work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32533/20]
View answerThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy and progressing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
The prioritisation and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for each of the fire authorities based on their assessment of local needs and requirements. In relation to the staffing requirements in each local authority, under the Local Government Act 2001, it is the responsibility of each Chief Executive to employ such staff and to make such staffing, funding, recruitment and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of their local authority.
The Fire Service in Ireland is fortunate to have available to it, in the full-time and retained services of staff at all levels, a large number of professional, competent and highly committed personnel. Local authorities, as the employers of fire service personnel, have demonstrated their commitment to the service over the past number of years. In fact the numbers of fire service frontline staff have been maintained at a high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even at a time when staffing numbers were by necessity being reduced in other areas.
Local authorities as the employers of fire service personnel, and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) engage with appropriate staffing representative bodies in relation to overall terms of employment etc. I understand that this is the case at the moment in respect of staffing matters in Dublin Fire Brigade. Given the statutory roles I have outlined above and the fact that discussions in relation to the Dublin Fire Service are ongoing between the relevant parties in the appropriate fora, it would not be appropriate for me as Minister, to make any comment on the issue at this time.
586. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Tailte Éireann Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32544/20]
View answerGovernment Decision of 20 January 2015 approved the drafting of the Tailte Éireann Bill proposing the merger of the offices of the Commissioner of Valuation, the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey Ireland into a new body to be known as Tailte Éireann.
Work on this project was commenced by the Department of Justice and Equality, following Government approval to the proposed merger. On 1 January 2018, responsibility for the Valuation Office, the Property Registration Authority and Ordnance Survey Ireland transferred to my Department.
A Project Board was established under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Valuation as CEO Designate for Tailte Éireann. The Project Board comprising senior departmental officials, officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Chief Executive Officers of the three bodies was established to develop a detailed project plan, including a timeline and programme of actions to advance the merger.
It is my intention to bring a revised General Scheme for the establishment of Tailte Éireann to Government in the coming weeks with a view to progressing publication of the Bill in early 2021.
587. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made in implementing the Constitutional Convention recommendation from 2013 that measures be taken to improve voter turnout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32551/20]
View answerI see a strong voter turnout at electoral events as being of key importance in our society and there are a number of initiatives already in place to support this.
In the first instance, my Department promotes greater awareness of the register of electors and encourages people to register to vote through an annual public awareness campaign. This entails the use of promotional posters, social media and the taking out of both newspaper and on-line advertisements. This campaign takes place each year between 1 November and 25 November and was recently launched for the 2021 register. The social media element is a coordinated, pro-active online campaign that seeks to engage various sectors and audiences, encouraging people to check their voter details on the register of electors. My Department has also undertaken initiatives to encourage other segments of the population to exercise their right to vote. For example, in advance of the local and European Elections in 2019, my Department worked with the Immigrant Council of Ireland in a publicity campaign aimed at providing information and encouraging immigrants to register to vote.
In the case of referendums, the role of any Referendum Commission established for a particular referendum includes the promotion of public awareness of the referendum and the encouragement of the electorate to vote at the poll.
Looking to the future, the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to the establishment of an Electoral Commission. It is intended that the new Commission will have a public awareness and education role in respect of electoral events, and will be tasked with the development of means to increase participation in our political processes. The Programme for Government commits to the Electoral Commission being in place by the end of 2021 and my Department is currently preparing the General Scheme of an Electoral Reform Bill in order to progress this initiative.
The Programme for Government also commits to the modernisation of the electoral register. While the current electoral registration system has served the country well, it is clear that modernisation will bring significant benefits, in particular by making the process more streamlined and accessible through optional online registration. As part of this wider modernisation initiative, one of the proposals being considered is provision for the pre-registration of 16 and 17 year-olds. This pre-registration would then become automatically active on a person’s 18th birthday. This proposal would also provide opportunities, such as the development of a schools programme, for young people to engage with the electoral register thereby improving the chances of their engagement post-18 when they become eligible to vote.
588. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider including deer management as an essential service under the updated Covid-19 guidelines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/20]
View answer603. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider including deer management as an essential service under the updated Covid-19 guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32889/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 588 and 603 together.
It is my understanding that hunting, including deer hunting, is not an exempted activity under the regulations made by the Minister for Health in the context of COVID – 19 Level 5 Phase.
While my Department does issue licenses for various activities under the Wildlife Acts, this does not in any way grant an exemption to any individual or group from compliance with Government public health guidelines and regulations in relation to COVID -19. It is imperative that all sectors of society adhere to the restrictions.
589. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the review of the legislative and administrative arrangements in relation to deer licensing with a view to securing improvements for customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32584/20]
View answer604. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the review of the legislative and administrative arrangements in relation to deer licensing with a view to securing improvements for customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32890/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 604 together.
Senior Officials of my Department would be open to a meeting along the lines proposed, in the first instance.
I would suggest that to facilitate a useful meeting, the organisation in question should submit any proposals it has in relation to a review of the legislation and administrative arrangements on deer licensing to my Department in the first instance.
590. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of low-cost sites that have been made available in the past year for persons to build a home or for a small co-operative to build a set of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32591/20]
View answerLocal authority housing scheme statistics are published on my Department's website, including data in relation to the Sale of Sites Scheme. Under this scheme, a local authority may make housing sites available at low cost.
Data relating to activity under the Sale of Sites Scheme in the period 2004 to 2019 in tabular form is available on my Department's website at the following web link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
591. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has been on the housing waiting list since 28 September 2005; the reason the person has never been offered a home; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32592/20]
View answerOversight and management of housing waiting lists is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Specifically, section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
Decisions on the qualification of specific persons for social housing support and the allocation of that support are matters solely for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I am precluded by law from becoming involved in individual cases.
