Social and Affordable Housing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 May 2012

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Ceisteanna (93)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Ceist:

99 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the income, together with criteria used in assessing applicants on local authority housing list; if individual circumstances are taken into account when assessing their social housing needs; the discretion, if any Offaly County Council has in assessing applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22051/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan)

Decisions on the eligibility of specific persons for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned. Sections of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 dealing with social housing support, and related Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, were commenced on 1 April 2011. The Regulations contain national eligibility criteria, including maximum income limits. These mandatory criteria must be applied by all housing authorities in assessing a household's eligibility for social housing support. The new arrangements seek to streamline the process of applying for social housing support, both for the applicant and the local authority. Authorities have been given guidance on these provisions by my Department and by the Housing Agency and take account of them when making decisions on social housing assessment applications. My Department is keeping the operation of the new regulations under review.