Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
120. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants on social housing waiting lists in County Donegal; the number of tenants in receipt of HAP and RAS or rent supplement in County Donegal in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34377/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).
The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 68,693, a reduction of 25%.
Below is the link to the summary report for 2019 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, across a range of categories.
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/sha_summary_2019_dec_2019_web_1.pdf
The SSHA 2019 shows that there were 926 households on the Donegal County Council social housing waiting list.
While the SSHA is normally conducted in or around June, given the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on local authorities and nature of the work involved in conducting the SSHA, the SSHA for 2020 was deferred to allow local authorities to continue to focus their resources on immediate priorities. However, recognising that the SSHA is a very important part of the evidence base for housing policy at both local authority and national level, I have directed local authorities to carry out the SSHA 2020 in November 2020.
In relation to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), at the end of quarter 2 2020, Donegal had 1,858 households in receipt of HAP.
In addition, as of the end of quarter 2 2020, there were 510 tenancies supported under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in County Donegal. RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support, and remains a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of housing support.
The Department of Social Protection is responsible for Rent Supplement and as such my Department does not have figures for this payment.
