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

The purpose of prescribing the appropriate period in regulation as opposed to primary legislation is to allow, if needed for flexibility, an opportunity to change the period set if it becomes impractical. I am not against the idea of setting a timescale but it is more practical to put it into regulations because it is then easier to change if required. While I accept the principle of the Deputy’s proposal is to ensure minimum disruption or confusion for the household concerned, this must be balanced against the practicality for the housing authority. The period that will be prescribed under this section will be set in consultation with housing authorities and can be the subject of review once the scheme is operational to ensure the correct balance has been struck between consideration of the HAP recipient and the housing authority’s practical requirements. Prescribing the period as suggested by the Deputy would also make it more difficult to follow through on the outcome of any review for the period set.

I am not against the amendment’s principle but it would be more practical to deal with it through regulation.

We will have a trial period with the first seven local authorities and we want to learn from this. This is why I do not want to put it into the legislation.

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