Ms Helen Faughnan:

There are particular issues around Kildare, Celbridge, etc., because we are competing with some of the large businesses and companies located in the Kildare area, as well as the university in Maynooth. All of these are causing issues in terms of supply, as workers are competing for the same properties.

Policy responsibility for the HAP and rental accommodation scheme lies with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Flexibility is available under the HAP scheme, however. For example, in Kildare, the scheme is being operated using the limits applied in Dublin, with an additional payment of up to 20% available. Flexibility is being applied in respect of HAP limits, particularly in areas of acute supply. South Dublin County Council, for example, is operating with flexibility of up to 20%.

Under the homeless HAP pilot schemes operating in the four Dublin areas, flexibility is provided to increase the payment by up to 50% above the limit to try to secure accommodation. While the two Departments and local authorities are working very much hand in hand to try to ensure flexibility is available, the big issue we are coming up against is supply.