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Housing Assistance Payments Implementation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2017

Tuesday, 23 May 2017

Questions (303)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

303. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase the number of landlords which accept HAP tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24683/17]

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Written answers

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently more than 22,000 households in receipt of HAP, including 7,000 households that were previously supported by Rent Supplement. In excess of 17,000 separate agents and landlords are providing accommodation to HAP supported households.

To date in 2017, an average of 325 additional households a week are having their housing need met by finding private rental accommodation and landlords willing to enter into a tenancy agreement on the basis of HAP support. In order to provide access to information on the scheme to interested parties, a new HAP website, www.hap.ie, was recently launched and provides prospective HAP tenants and landlords with the information that they need to understand how the HAP scheme works.  Local authorities are also promoting the scheme to landlords who might be interested in entering into a HAP tenancy. HAP provides landlords with many advantages including that the landlord does not have to collect the rent; payments are made electronically directly to the landlord on the tenant's behalf; landlords who rent to tenants in receipt of HAP may avail of increased tax relief; and changes in a tenant's employment circumstances do not affect the rental payments made to the landlord.

My Department continues to keep the operation of the  scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the HAP scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme outlined under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.

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