Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024
220. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide current guidelines and policy documents in respect of his Department's policy and advices to local authorities with regards to tenant transfers between local authorities on compassionate or exceptional grounds particularly with respect to elderly persons and senior citizen housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5896/24]
View answerRequests for housing transfers are considered solely by the relevant local authority concerned in accordance with that authority’s allocation scheme, which is made by the elected members under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and in compliance with Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011, as amended.
Local authorities are responsible for assessing 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. Ultimately, it is a matter for the local authority to decide the conditions to be met in relation to transfer applications.
Some local authorities, including Dublin City Council have provisions in their allocation schemes for inter authority transfers for sitting tenants whereby the authority is prepared to accommodate applications for inter authority transfers provided certain criteria are met. Such arrangements are entirely a matter for the local authorities concerned.
