Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
627. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications each local authority has received under the housing assistance payment scheme; the number of these that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12865/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published on 26 November 2014. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities. The scheme will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income. Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, the first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October. Subsequently, on 18 December, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
During the legislation’s passage through the Oireachtas in July 2014 an undertaking was given that a report would be prepared for the relevant Oireachtas Committee. Data for this report are being gathered from pilot sites and a progress report will be submitted to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht shortly. Based on data gathered for the review, consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of local authorities to commence HAP on an incremental basis this year.
To date, in all bar one case, where a HAP applicant has qualified for social housing support and the Local Authority is in receipt of a valid and complete HAP application; the application has been processed and set-up. The HAP application of the household referred to was rejected due to anti-social behaviour issues.
The following table details the number of households supported by HAP at 27 March 2015:
|
Statutory Pilot Phase - Current Local Authorities |
Households supported by HAP at 27/03/2015 |
|
Cork County Council |
195 |
|
Dublin City Council |
1 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
282 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
395* |
|
Louth County Council |
160 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
58 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
77 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
130 |
|
Total |
1,298 |
*One application rejected due to anti-social behaviour issues.
