Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Deputy asked that question, because they can. There were trans-boundary issues with people on housing assistance payment, HAP, in one local authority but on a list elsewhere. Through the directors of services for housing, that has been worked through. If for example, someone is renting in Kildare, but is a HAP tenant in south Dublin, Kildare can purchase the house. Mechanisms have been worked out between the two local authorities to make sure this is highlighted. There is now no barrier to purchase with tenant in situjust because someone is on housing lists elsewhere. If they are a HAP or rental accommodation scheme, RAS, tenant renting in Kildare, say, and on a list somewhere else, they can proceed with the purchase. There were some matters to be worked through procedurally. That has been done. If Deputies and Senators have any other instances, I am still getting examples in. When Ms AnnMarie Farrelly made a presentation to the committee a few weeks ago, we had over 1,000 cases in process since the start of January and the figure is increasing every day.

We will exceed the baseline target, that we set, of 1,500 this year and we intend to do that. The same applies regarding the cost-rental backstop and, yes, that is the position.