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Housing Assistance Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (478)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

478. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a large number of landlords that are refusing to accept HAP tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20204/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A landlord or an agent acting on behalf of a landlord is not legally obliged to enter into a tenancy agreement specifically with a HAP recipient. However, on 1 January 2016, the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 introduced “housing assistance” as a new discriminatory ground. This means that discrimination in the provision of accommodation or related service and amenities against people in receipt of rent supplement, HAP or other social welfare payments is prohibited. Further information is available at https://www.ihrec.ie/your-rights/i-have-an-issue-with-a-service/i-have-an-issue-about-accommodation/.

If a person feels that they have been discriminated against by a landlord or their agent, they can make a complaint under the Equal Status Acts to the Workplace Relations Commission; further information is available on the Commission's website, https://www.workplacerelations.ie. 

The HAP scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals.  At the end of Q2 2020, nearly 79,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 56,500 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 32,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

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