Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
541. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of units of accommodation that returned to the housing assistant payment, HAP, system subsequently from each of four categories that is, tenant-led exits, compliance exits, transfers to other forms of social housing and landlord exits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28688/18]
View answerHousing Assistance Payment (HAP) supported tenancies are agreed between the landlord and the tenant; the local authority is not a party to the tenancy and has no role in its agreement. There is no limitation placed by the scheme on the length of tenancy that can be supported by HAP. However, as with other private rental tenancies, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended) governs the relationship between landlord and tenant and the length of the tenancy is a matter that must be agreed between the landlord and tenant in that context.
At the end of Q1 2018 a total of 5,938 households were reported as having exited HAP: this included tenant led exits; compliance exits; transfers to other forms of social housing; and landlord exits. This report is based on cessations as submitted by local authorities. Reasons for cessations are typically provided by the tenant and/or landlord.
The following table details the number of property re-entries into HAP under each of the 4 exit categories:
Property Re-entries into HAP
|
Tenant led exits |
527 |
|
Compliance exits |
163 |
|
Transfers to other forms of social housing |
232 |
|
Landlord exits |
216 |
|
Total |
1,138 |
In cases where a HAP supported tenancy comes to an end, the tenant can find alternative accommodation and retain their eligibility for HAP support or the local authority may decide to offer another form of social housing support to the tenant in accordance with their scheme of letting priorities.
