Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A number of years ago, this would not have mattered so much because if someone did not qualify for social housing, private rentals were available and affordable. They are neither available or affordable at the moment for people just over the threshold for social housing. In fact, they are not affordable for people on a medium or even a high income at this stage. I know of many individuals and families who have turned down work, stayed working part time instead of full time, refused overtime and are not claiming payments to which they are entitled because it would push them over the threshold to stay on the social housing list, so they can stay in receipt of HAP. That should not happen. Can more discretion be offered to local authorities on payments such as this for families facing eviction to keep them on the social housing list?

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