Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
635. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the statutory time where a social housing application must be processed by a local authority; if this is the same for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14282/24]
View answerApplications 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, as amended. Regulation 12 of the 2011 Regulations prescribes 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. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and seek to process their applications well within the prescribed maximum timeframes.
In the event that the assessment cannot be completed within the mandated time, the local authority must notify the applicant in writing of this fact, specifying the reasons why the assessment could not be completed in good time.
If the local authority requires additional information from the applicant, it should request that information as early into the assessment process as possible. In accordance with Regulation 11(1), the applicant has 4 weeks from the time of the request to provide the requested information/documentation to the local authority.
Should the applicant fail to do so, then the application should be returned to the applicant with a covering letter stating that an assessment could not be carried out by the local authority.
Where it is not possible for the applicant to provide any information/documentation requested by the local authority within the 4 week period (e.g. where documentation is being sought from a third party that has been delayed), a local authority may, if it feels it appropriate, grant an extension to the applicant to provide the requested information/documentation. Local authorities then have 6 weeks after receipt of additional information requested to process the application. In any event, the processing of a valid application by a local authority shall not exceed 14 weeks after the initial 12 weeks from the date of application has expired.
