Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
786. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the payments made to landlords in respect of the housing assistance payment since its introduction in 2015 in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37232/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. Budget 2018 has increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €301 million. This will allow for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enable the additional 17,000 households targeted under Rebuilding Ireland to be supported by HAP in 2018.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the payments made to landlords, the relevant details relating to all costs are set out in the following Table.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2015 |
€15.64m |
|
2016 |
€57.69m |
|
2017 |
€152.69m |
Limerick City and County Council provides a HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but rather recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.
I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is currently operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland. My Department will, of course, continue to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
