Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
720. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of approved housing applicants; the number of these applicants accessing and using the choice-based letting system for each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50343/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each housing authority area are provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments. The most recent figures available are the results of the 2016 Summary which are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf.
In line with a commitment given in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, future summaries will now be carried out an annual basis. I expect the results of the 2017 summary to be available for publication in the coming weeks.
The allocation of social housing support is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. Section 22 of the 2009 Act 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.
On 30 September 2016, the Social Housing Allocation (Amendment) Regulations 2016 were made, which required that all local authorities must, if they had not already done so, provide for Choice Based Letting (CBL) as a method of allocation in their housing allocation schemes by 31 December 2016.
Where a local authority, having included a provision on CBL in its allocation scheme, decides to operate a CBL scheme, it must implement it in accordance with Regulations 6 – 11 of the 2011 Regulations. Decisions on which properties are to be included under a CBL scheme is a matter for individual authorities.
