Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2013

Thursday, 24 October 2013

Ceisteanna (177, 178, 179)

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

177. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of families on the housing list in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45364/13]

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

178. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of private rented accommodation units that are available in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45365/13]

Robert Dowds

Ceist:

179. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which private landlords are excluding families on local authority housing lists from consideration for housing in each of the local authorities (details supplied). [45366/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together.

My Department does not hold information on the number of households on local authority waiting lists as this figure fluctuates continuously as households on the list are allocated housing and new households apply for housing support.

In May 2013 under Section 21 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, all housing authorities were directed to provide a summary report of social housing assessments carried out in their areas and the data submitted by housing authorities are currently being analysed. A report on the assessment findings will be published by the Housing Agency in the near future. The report will provide an important insight into the level of need for social housing support across the country. As this is the first summary of housing assessments to be carried out under the 2009 Act, the results will not be directly comparable with previous statutory needs assessments.

Although my Department publishes a wide range of housing related statistics, it does not hold information on the number of private rented dwellings that are available to let. Information on registered tenancies by county and by Dublin postcode district is available from the Private Residential Tenancies Board at www.prtb.ie but again this does not address availability.

As regards the extent to which private landlords are excluding families on local authority housing lists from consideration for housing , my Department is not aware of any research or studies that have been conducted in this area.