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Housing Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Ceisteanna (289)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

289. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has made any changes in the terms of the housing assistance payments available to pensioners and those who need adaptation on grounds of disability or in the means test that will apply during 2022. [47549/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

In order to qualify for HAP, a household must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support. Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.

A key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs, in their area of choice. In cases where there is a distinct on-going dependent relationship, or where additional requirements are necessary in order to assist a person with a disability, local authorities may consider the individual circumstances of each case.

Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/

As detailed in Housing for All, housing policy objectives 6 and 7 give a commitment to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability. Officials from my Department will begin a review of the existing grant limits and income thresholds applicable to the grant schemes later this year.

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