Ms Catherine Keenan:

Yes. At this stage, there are 37 homeless HAP cases and 85 standard HAP cases, which gives a total of approximately 120. Given that our HAP target for 2018 is 240, we are about halfway there as we reach the midpoint of the year. I have to acknowledge that it is expensive to rent or buy a house in Dún Laoghaire. There is no doubt that people have difficulties in this regard but we are securing some properties under the scheme. The figure referred to by Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to homeless HAP cases and did not include standard HAP cases.

Obviously we have a duty of care with regard to RAS that we do not have in respect of the housing assistance payment. I do not know of the particular case the Deputy described but we have a duty of care in finding another RAS property or another solution.

On the cases of income eligibility and overtime payments resulting in people being removed from the housing list, I understand that this can present a difficulty. However, as noted earlier, the limits have been set and we must work within them. The Department is considering reviewing the limits nationally because they are relatively low.

On place finding services, we have increased the number of staff in our homeless and allocation sections to deal with what we can. We have people who will help out where they can. The Deputy spoke of raising the cap on the housing assistance payment. This is done regularly where we can do it. We are aware that people cannot find houses. Ms Ryan will verify that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council provides a higher cap for rents under HAP. We try to help vulnerable people who are having difficulty in finding placements by trying to locate properties for them. Of course we have difficulties in this regard because the supply is limited, but we do what we can.

The council will open a civic hub in July, which will be staffed by 16 people. The hub will deal with queries besides housing but it will be able to support people who come in and there will be kiosks where people can look up websites such asmyhome.ie or daft.ie. Additional supports will be provided where we can do so.