Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to amendment No. 193 and the continuation of housing allocation scheme. The Minister has anticipated Irish Water in regard to one particular change. I do not know if the pilots for the housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme have started yet.

I presume the changes will be included in the HAP scheme. In the administration of the housing list leasing has been the predominant solution in the medium term. There has been a shift in the role from the Department of Social Protection to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It does not look as if there will be a shift in personnel, from what the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton is saying. Is there something to anticipate and future proof it in terms of the changes that will be made? It is quite difficult to see how a person in receipt of rent assistance will fit into the HAP scheme? It is not going to be on the basis of an allocation scheme.