Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2016
79. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there is any mechanism his Department can use to intervene in cases such as that of a person (details supplied) so as to ensure that housing legislation enacted by the Oireachtas is adhered to by Sligo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32165/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the case in question involves the eligibility of the person concerned for social housing support from Sligo County Council.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Decisions on the eligibility of specific persons for social housing support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations made thereunder.
My Department has provided detailed guidance on the application of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, to which all local authorities are required to have regard in applying the provisions of the Regulations. The guidance is available at:
www.housingagency.ie/Our-Publications/Housing-for-People-with-a-Disability/Housing-Needs-Assessment-Guidance-notes-Revised-30.aspx.
Section 6 of the 2009 Act specifically provides that the Minster's power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions is not to be construed as enabling him to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. I am therefore precluded from intervening in individual housing cases.
Where a household is dissatisfied with the level of service by its local authority, it is open to that household to make a complaint under the authority's customer service complaints procedure. Following that complaint, if a household still considers that it has been adversely affected by a local authority's action, or lack of action, which it considers unfair or unreasonable, it is open to the household to make a complaint to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's office may be contacted by e-mail at ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie or by telephone at 01-6395600 or LoCall 1890 223030.
