I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
Section 16 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 amends the Social Welfare Acts to enable the Health Service Executive to refuse or withdraw rent or mortgage interest supplementation for private houses under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in the case of persons evicted, excluded or removed from, or refused housing on grounds of anti-social behaviour or in the interests of good estate management. The executive's discretion in this matter also applies where persons have been evicted or excluded from housing provided by a voluntary body.
Legislation to underpin the new rental accommodation scheme — under which local authorities are providing accommodation for certain recipients of SWA rent supplement who have been assessed as having a long-term housing need — will be made in a housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill currently being prepared by my Department. The Bill will also strengthen the powers of housing authorities in dealing with anti-social behaviour. I expect to publish the Bill before the end of the year.
