Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 to 690, inclusive, together.

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published summary for all local authority areas was conducted in November 2022 and is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/

The key figure reported in the SSHA is referred to as ‘net need’. Net need is the total number of households qualified for social housing support whose need for support is not being met.

Those households currently living in local authority-rented or Approved Housing Body accommodation, or accommodation provided under the Housing Assistance Payment, the Rental Accommodation Scheme, the Social Housing Capital Expenditure Programme or any household on a transfer list are not included in the net need figure, as they have been assessed for and are in receipt of social housing support. As provided for by the 2014 Housing Act, local authorities are not required to carry out a social housing assessment in respect of a household in receipt of social housing support that applies to transfer to another form of social housing support.

The SSHA 2023 is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report shortly.

The increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation is a serious concern for me and for the Government. We are doing everything in our power to tackle this problem, both by increasing housing supply and investing in homelessness prevention.

Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. My Department is prioritising measures which focus on accelerating social and affordable housing supply through a combination of new build, targeted acquisitions and leasing. Record levels of investment are being provided under Housing for All to support the delivery of housing. In 2024, over €5bn in investment is available to support the delivery of housing.

Having regard to the statutory role of local authorities under the Housing Act 1988, all households are assessed, and provided with homeless services, in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.