Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of prescribing the appropriate period in regulation, as opposed to primary legislation, is to allow, if needed, for flexibility to change the period set if it becomes impractical.

While I accept the principle of the Senator's proposal to ensure there is minimum disruption or confusion for the household concerned, this must be balanced against practicality for the housing authority. The period that will be prescribed under this section will be set in consultation with housing authorities and can be the subject of review once the scheme is operational to ensure the correct balance between the needs of the housing assistance payment, HAP, recipient and consideration of the housing authority's practical requirements has been struck. Prescribing the period, as suggested by the Senator, makes it more difficult to follow through on the outcome of any review for the period set.

We intend to review this because it is a major change in the provision of housing. There will be a review and we will have an opportunity to ensure that what is set in the regulation is appropriate.