Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Housing for All plan sets out the Government’s commitment to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 new build social homes, which we are on track to deliver. As I said, that is where part of the solution lies, but not the entire solution. It is our ambition to reduce dependency on HAP by increasing social housing provision. Notwithstanding that, as I said in my initial response, it is critical that an analytical review be undertaken on increasing the 20% discretionary limit that local authorities have under HAP. On the increase in the discretionary limit of 20%, the Deputy suggested it be raised to 50% as per the Dublin local authorities. The Housing Agency has completed that piece of work and the Department is undertaking its analysis. We should be able to conclude the findings of that process shortly.

I accept the points made by the Deputy. It is an incredibly and increasingly challenging situation across the country, in which all services are stretched. The Department is committed to resolving these issues. The Minister has consistently stated in the House that he is committed to addressing the issue of homelessness. The Government is committed to eliminating homelessness by 2030. These reviews will take place and if discretion is there on the 20% limit for local authorities, it will certainly help to alleviate the situation for the families involved in the cases the Deputy mentioned.

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