Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
6. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number currently on the social housing waiting list in Cavan; the current wait time for social housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32980/23]
View answerDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recent summary, conducted in November 2022, indicates there were 460 households on the social housing waiting list in Cavan, a decrease of 24.3% from 2019 . In 2022, the local authority delivered 116 new social housing dwellings using build, acquisition and leasing mechanisms. In addition, 97 new tenancies were supported using HAP and RAS. Further ambitious targets for new housing delivery have been set for the local authority in 2023. While the oversight and management of the housing waiting list, including the allocation of tenancies, is a matter solely for Cavan County Council, I expect the delivery of these homes to contribute significantly to meeting the accommodation needs of households on the Council's waiting list.
Individual applications 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. These Regulations prescribe the timescales for the processing of applications by local authorities and provides that, subject to conditions, a local authority shall deal with an application within a period of 12 weeks.
I understand that local authorities, including Cavan County Council ordinarily prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need. Likewise, they also ensure that such applications are dealt with within time-frames that are significantly shorter that the statutory maximum. I’m not aware of a particular difficulty in Cavan that is leading to a delay in applications being assessed.
