Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
271. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the return of local authority housing in which a tenant passes away and the directions or circulars are given to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28162/22]
View answerThe oversight and management of local authority housing stock and the allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer.
The local authority then assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme.
While all local authorities accept applications from persons living with local authority tenants to inherit or succeed to the tenancy if that tenant dies, approaches and conditions can vary from one local authority to another, with the rules for succession to tenancy usually outlined in the respective authority's housing allocations schemes.
