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

I gave an undertaking in the Dáil that I would report back to the Cabinet committee after the end of the first wave of the HAP scheme. I will honour that and will report to the Cabinet sub-committee on the implementation of the HAP scheme.

There are already significant structures in place to ensure the HAP scheme is properly managed with regard to development, implementation and monitoring arrangements. This is all part of the plan that already exists. Detailed business processes have been developed within which the roll-out of the scheme must operate. It is intended to review the pilot phase by the end of 2014, at which time I will give consideration to the need, if any, for additional legislative provisions to enhance overall implementation of the scheme. We want to treat the first wave as a learning process so if some elements are not working I will use the legislative mechanisms at my disposal to make the necessary amendments. This may require use of a different piece of legislation.

The pilot phase will also play a key role in setting out the level of additional detail required for ongoing monitoring and reporting of the scheme. The intended review would have regard to all operational aspects of the scheme, including implementation by the local authorities and the overall costs associated with delivery of the scheme. It is expected that periodic reports will be made available to the Government and the relevant Oireachtas committees for consideration.