Vol. 550 No. 1
45 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the average length of time housing applicants can expect to remain on local authority waiting lists prior to having their housing needs met; the number on such lists for more than two years, more than four years and more than six years; the advice he has for those longest on such waiting lists in order to improve their chances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/02]
Information available from the 1999 assessment of housing need indicates that, at that time, more than two thirds of households assessed as in need of local authority housing were on the local authority waiting list for less than two years. It is, however, the case that some applicants for local authority housing are on waiting lists for longer periods on the basis that their housing need has a relative lower priority compared with the needs of households who have been allocated housing. The relative priority of households on the local authority waiting lists is determined in accordance with the authorities scheme of letting priorities, the making of which is a function reserved to the elected members.
The next statutory assessment of housing needs is to be undertaken by local authorities at the end of next month. In undertaking the assessment, my Department has asked all local authorities to undertake an age analysis of waiting lists to establish more detailed information on the length of time applicants are waiting on housing lists and it is my intention to publish this information with the results of the assessment.
