Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am satisfied that the current formulation in sections 20(7) and 21 would achieve the same aims as the Senator's amendment, by giving a framework for more timely assessment of need. Subsection (7) empowers the Minister to make regulations regarding the frequency of reviewing and updating the assessment of housing needs of an individual household. Where an individual seeks a housing assessment, the intention would be to undertake a preliminary examination immediately to determine if short-term or emergency housing supports are required and, if so, to respond accordingly. A full housing assessment will be carried out once any immediate needs have been addressed and will seek to provide an accurate and objective account of the long-term housing needs of the individual household concerned. Regulatory powers in subsection (7) are focused on the updating of this assessment to ensure that any changed circumstances of the household are taken into account.

Section 21 deals with the summary of all these needs and replaces the current tri-annual assessment, which was provided for under the 1998 Act. While the section provides that these summaries will be prepared for very specific purposes — i.e. housing service plans — they will also be undertaken at periods to be directed by the Minister. My intention is to move to more timely reports on the overall needs and the proposed provisions will facilitate this. I therefore cannot accept this amendment.