Local Authority Housing Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2013

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Questions (194)

Brian Stanley

Question:

194. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it was not until 2009 that those applying for rent supplement had to be on a local authority waiting list, prior to this the applicant brought in a SW3A form and it was signed automatically, the implication of this is that those persons who had their SW3A signed before 2009 assumed they were on the housing lists but unfortunately it has come to light that this is not the case therefore increasing numbers are making applications for housing having believed they were on the list for years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23257/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

To qualify for social housing support a household must meet the eligibility and need criteria set down in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. This includes households who were on the social housing list prior to the introduction of the Regulations in 2011.

The issue of qualification for rent supplement is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. When a household qualifies for rent supplement it does not automatically qualify for social housing support.