Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
329. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average HAP payment per recipient funded by the Exchequer; the average cost to the State, per recipient, net of differential rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56088/23]
View answer330. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the gross and net average cost to the State per HAP recipient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56089/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2023, 112,909 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were nearly 58,234 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
Budget 2023 allocated €543 million for the Scheme and this enables continued support for existing HAP households along with funding new households to be accommodated in HAP supported tenancies. This funding is provided to cover the total cost of the HAP Scheme, including administration costs, after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority.
The monthly gross average cost per HAP tenancy at the end of Q2 2023 was €959. The monthly average cost per HAP tenancy funded by the Exchequer i.e. net of average differential rent, at the end of Q2 2023 was €747.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The limits applicable are related to the specific household and the rental market in the area and so vary significantly across each local authority.
