Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
490. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the entitlement to social housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50785/13]
View answerIt is a matter for each housing authority to determine the eligibility of individual households for social housing support, in accordance with section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 made thereunder. Regulation 22(1) of the 2011 Regulations provides that a household with alternative accommodation that would meet its housing need is ineligible for social housing support. Paragraph (2) of the Regulation clarifies that paragraph (1) does not operate to exclude from eligibility for social housing support an applicant who owns accommodation that is occupied by his or her spouse, from whom he or she is separated under a court order or deed of separation.
It is acknowledged however that individually difficult and complex cases may present to housing authorities and, as part of an on-going review of the 2011 Regulations, my Department is examining such scenarios and in particular whether specific provision is required in respect of separated persons applying for social housing support who own dwellings occupied by spouses from whom they are separated, but where no court order or deed of separation is in place.
