Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
2161. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued instructions to all local authorities to request that any non-Irish housing applicants be asked to provide proof that they do not own property in the country of their birth regardless of the number of years they have lived here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26751/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary purpose of social housing support is to assist the provision of suitable accommodation for households who have a housing need but do not have sufficient resources to secure accommodation from their own resources.
The 2011 Social Housing Assessment Regulations provide that a household is ineligible for social housing support if a household member owns alternative accommodation that the household could reasonably be expected to use to meet its housing needs, either by occupying it or by selling the accommodation and using the proceeds to secure other suitable accommodation. On foot of this provision, Part 11 of the prescribed social housing application form seeks information on property ownership in the State and abroad and this applies to all applicants for social housing support.
A household is required, under Regulation 11 of the 2011 Regulations, to provide to the housing authority such additional information, including documents and other particulars, as is sought by the authority for the purpose of verifying information relating to its application for social housing support.
It is a matter for the local authority to determine what is required in individual cases. My Department would expect that any information sought by a local authority in this regard would be appropriate, having regard to the circumstances of the household concerned.
