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

Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to his constituency in Dún Laoghaire. It is one of the local authorities, across all the local authorities, with the highest use of the discretionary HAP.

We are still approving 680 HAP tenancies per month. We have committed to reducing reliance on HAP, as we have stated, and that relates to delivery of supply of social, affordable and cost-rental housing.

Given the points made earlier by my colleague, the Minister, we are buying out 1,800 HAP tenancies with the use of the tenant in situscheme. We are making considerable progress across the State in all local authorities, including Clare and in Dún Laoghaire, to try to reduce our reliance on HAP.

The discretionary rate is in place, and local authorities also have discretion in respect of local market conditions to exceed the maximum HAP rate rent limit by up to 35%, or 50% in the Dublin region, for households at immediate risk of homelessness. They should be proactive in the use of this discretion. It is also critically important that we continue the supply to reduce our reliance on HAP.

See this speech in context