Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The rental accommodation scheme has been an important contributor to social housing supply since its introduction on a pilot basis in 2005. Expenditure under the scheme covers recoupment made to local authorities for contracted rents due to private landlords and approved housing bodies, administration costs and a damages contingency fund for newly acquired accommodation.

Exchequer funding of €6.9 million was provided to Tipperary in 2020 to support 1,071 tenancies. Funding for leasing projects is provided under the social housing current expenditure budget. This supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the long-term leasing of houses and apartments from private owners and approved housing bodies.

Tipperary County Council delivered 40 additional properties under the social housing leasing scheme in 2020, with a total spend for the year of €2.5m in relation to all leased properties.

The housing assistance payment, HAP, is a flexible and immediate housing support available to all eligible households throughout the State. Funding for HAP for Tipperary in 2020 amounted to €7.1 million, with 1,868 active tenancies at the end of 2020. This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the scheme.

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