Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
657. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a 17 year old mother can be discriminated against and refused access to social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/15]
View answerHousing legislation does not stipulate the minimum age of a person applying for social housing support in respect of his or her household. However, given the need to enter into, and fulfil the terms of, a tenancy agreement in order to avail of such support, my Department has advised local housing authorities that one household member should be at least 18 years of age to be considered for such support. It is a matter for the housing authority, as part of its statutory functions, to assess a household’s eligibility for social housing support in its functional area. This matter will be considered in the context of the review of social housing assessment procedures as part of the broader social housing reform agenda outlined in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
