Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
656. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether emergency accommodation can be refused on the basis of a previous eviction from social housing; whether there is a timeframe for this impact; and whether a local authority should take into account proven efforts by a person to resolve vulnerabilities that led to the eviction. [14581/24]
View answer722. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if having rent arrears as a HAP tenant is a reason to withhold emergency accommodation for a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 722 together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
