Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all know we are dealing with disastrously high rates in relation to rentals, particularly in towns such as Drogheda and Dundalk. It will hardly be a big shock that since news of the increase in the housing assistance payment, HAP, discretion level to 35% was first talked about that the local authority, namely, Louth County Council, has been inundated with calls. Can we get an actual date? We are being told it is next month, but is that the first of the month? If it is not, we need to get that information as soon as possible. I also put on the record once again that we need people in HAP tenancies to be able to go into payment plans if there is a case of arrears, because it is leading to instances of homelessness in my constituency.

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