Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2011
338 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that local authorities will ensure in their housing need assessment that sufficient priority is given to the safety of victims of domestic violence and their children. [28709/11]
View answerIt is open to any person or household to apply to a housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. It is a matter solely for the housing authority concerned to determine whether an applicant for social housing support is eligible for and in need of that support. The authority must make its determination in accordance with the provisions of section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and regulations made under that section, primarily the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, having regard to the particular circumstances of the case.
In cases of domestic violence, there is a range of services available to deal with the immediate primary needs of a household both in terms of protection of the abused partner and any children, and any need for emergency accommodation. Applicants do not need to go on the general housing waiting lists to avail of short-term emergency housing in domestic violence situations.
