Domestic Violence Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2017

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Questions (25)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

25. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the guidance that has been issued to local authorities with regard to the policy and procedural aspect of their housing role which will ensure effectiveness and consistency in local authority responses to victims of domestic violence; if he will ensure that local authorities are issued with guidelines on the way to allow for flexibility on issuing payments to those transitioning from an abusive situation in local authority areas where the HAP scheme has been rolled out; and if his Department plans to review and issue guidelines on the situation whereby local authorities do not consider women entitled to social housing if they jointly own a property with their abuser, regardless of the fact that this property is not available to them as they would not be safe there. [2140/17]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

In line with commitments in Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (Action 1.8) and the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 (Action 2.300), my Department has issued guidance to all housing authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs. The guidance can be accessed using the following link to my Department’s website: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/policy/homelessness.

It is expected that this guidance will be of assistance to local authorities in relation to their housing remit and will contribute towards ensuring an effective and consistent housing response for victims of domestic violence. The guidance covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence in seeking social housing supports, including provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.