Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Ceisteanna (831)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

831. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to an anomalous situation in Dublin City Council whereby persons and families who are on the housing transfer list can see their positions on the list stagnate or regress owing to others joining the list from different areas and priority bands; if he will liaise with Dublin City Council to ensure priority is given to those that have been waiting longest for transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32933/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

The oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant housing authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.

Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all housing authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

Section 22(17) of the 2009 Act provides that the Minister’s power to direct a housing authority regarding the operation of its allocation scheme shall not be construed or operate to enable the Minister to direct the allocation of a dwelling to a particular household.

I am, therefore, precluded from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by housing authorities in the allocation of particular dwellings.