I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 85 of 2 December 2014.
The implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which was launched last month. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income.
It is intended that the strategy will be delivered in two phases. Phase 1 will target the accommodation of 32,400 households through HAP and RAS in the period to the end of 2017. In phase 2, spanning the years 2018 to 2020, the strategy targets the accommodation of some 43,000 additional households through HAP and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). The table below details the breakdown by scheme of additional households expected to be accommodated through HAP and RAS in the period 2015 to 2020.
|
Delivery
|
2015
|
2016-2017
|
2018-2020
|
|
-
|
Units
|
Units
|
Units
|
|
HAP
|
8,400
|
20,000
|
41,040
|
|
RAS
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
2,000
|
|
Period Total
|
10,400
|
22,000
|
43,040
|
|
Cumulative Total
|
10,400
|
32,400
|
75,400
|
It is intended that some 8,400 households will be accommodated through HAP in 2015. There are currently 307 households in receipt of HAP across 6 of the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot HAP scheme. South Dublin County Council is currently assessing new applicants for HAP and expects to start moving recipients onto HAP in the coming weeks. Roll out to the remaining local authorities is scheduled to begin on a phased basis in 2015.
Throughout the development of the HAP Scheme discussions have taken place with a wide variety of interested stakeholders including landlord representative groups. This engagement will continue, as appropriate, as the scheme moves towards full roll out.
The delivery of the HAP Programme is being overseen by an Oversight Group co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Social Protection, and also including representation from the County and City Management Association (CCMA). The Oversight Group, taking account of the experience of the local authorities involved in the first phase of HAP, is considering the service delivery options, including the costs and resource requirements.
