Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
79. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if supports are available to families who have been awarded custody of their biological children through a legal process which has subsequently caused overcrowding in the existing property; if there are funding schemes which can be accessed for families in such a situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4869/21]
View answerMy Department does not operate a specific funding scheme for families who have been awarded custody of their biological children through a legal process which has subsequently caused overcrowding in their existing property. Where overcrowding occurs in private housing, households may seek to be assessed for social housing and, if qualified, may avail of social housing supports under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Families who are already in social housing and find themselves in the circumstances described or are experiencing overcrowding for any other reason, can apply to the housing authority for a transfer. Such a transfer application would then be assessed in accordance with the housing authority's scheme of letting priorities.
