Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
258. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria a single father who co-parents his children must meet in order for his social housing application to include himself and his children qualify for a suitably sized local authority property. [58894/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is an essential requirement that the single parent applicant must be in receipt of children’s allowance in order for dependent children to be included on a social housing application. [58895/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by local authorities, 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).
The 2009 Act defines a household as a person living alone, or two or more persons, who in the opinion of the local authority concerned, have a reasonable requirement to live together. Households meeting the eligibility and need criteria, qualify for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and are placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the relevant local authority’s allocation scheme.
The receipt of children's allowance is not an assessment criterion prescribed by the 2009 Act or the 2011 Regulations. The oversight and practical management of housing lists, including decisions on eligibility and the type of social housing support allocated or provided to households, is a matter solely for local authorities in accordance with the Act and Regulations.
