Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
420. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what criteria must be met for a person living in direct provision to be eligible for HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54954/23]
View answerPersons living in direct provision who have been granted international protection status can access State provided supports and services on the same basis as Irish nationals.
It is open to anyone to apply for social housing support, applications for which 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.Ultimately, decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
