Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and allowing me to outline the current position. I would like him to know I have commenced a review; therefore, we recognise there is an issue.

The Government's housing policy statement, published in June 2011, serves as a framework for a sequence of legislative and policy initiatives in the short to medium term. Based on a number of fundamental principles and goals that form the foundation of a substantial reform programme, the framework for housing policy responds to current and emerging conditions in the housing sector, taking into account the current economic environment. Central to this approach is maximising delivery of social housing support to those with greatest need within the resources available. In terms of the delivery of social housing, the policy statement clearly identifies that the main focus in terms of supports provided by the Government will be on meeting the most acute needs, namely, the housing support needs of those unable to provide for their accommodation from their own resources.

One of the greatest concerns the Government had was the disparity of procedures across the various housing authorities in accessing social housing support. The 2011 social housing assessment regulations were introduced to provide for a new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing in every housing authority. The ultimate aim of the new system is to create a fairer, more consistent and transparent approach to eligibility for social housing support. The regulations providing the legislative basis for the assessment are continually under review in an effort to ensure they achieve that aim.

Regulation 22 of the 2011 regulations addresses the issue of alternative accommodation, with regulation 23 addressing the housing need criteria. It is a matter for each housing authority to assess the need of each applicant household within the terms of the regulations to determine eligibility for social housing support. Paragraph (1) of regulation 22 of the social housing assessment regulations of 2011 provides that a household with alternative accommodation that would meet its housing need is ineligible for social housing support. Paragraph (2) of the regulation effectively ensures paragraph (1) does not operate to exclude from eligibility for social housing support an applicant who owns accommodation occupied by his or her spouse from whom he or she is separated or divorced. The regulation is worded in such a way that once there is a deed of separation in place, this aspect of eligibility for social housing support can be determined. There is no need, therefore, to await judicial separation or divorce to get a decision on eligibility for social housing support in these cases. I consider that this provision is reasonable in most cases. However, I acknowledge the Deputy's point that exceptional cases arise that may not easily be dealt with under the current regulations. As part of the programme of social housing reform which I am advancing, I am reviewing the implementation of the 2011 regulations to ensure they are operating as intended. I will issue revised regulations and guidance, as necessary. As part of the review, my Department will consider what wider discretion might be given to housing authorities to address the difficult and complex cases which may present to them. As I said, I recognise that there is an issue in the case of newly separated persons.

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