Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2021
143. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a policy to allow both parties in a relationship breakdown who are local authority housing applicants to separately retain their years served together on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17753/21]
View answerApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.
Under the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, a local authority may review a household’s qualification for social housing support in order to ensure that a household continues to qualify for social housing support and thus can remain on a housing list. Such a review may be carried out by a local authority whenever it becomes aware of changes in household circumstances or whenever a review is considered appropriate.
The oversight and practical management of housing lists is a matter for the relevant local authority, in accordance with the 2009 Act and associated regulations. Specifically, section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.
