Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are creating at least 300 new HAP tenancies a week, which is staggering. Despite the crisis we have, 300 households are being supported each week under HAP for the first time. That is important. While recognising that, it can be difficult to secure HAP properties in certain areas for individuals. We rolled out place finders and made them available to every local authority, although not every authority availed of them. Where a local authority felt it needed a place finder it has taken on the service. Some have more than one place finder to help individuals and families to locate a property. Moreover, we have engaged with estate agents, who have a very good idea of what is happening in their area from a commercial point of view. We have engaged with estate agents to secure HAP tenancies through them before the properties even go on the market. There has been some negative coverage of that in the media but we are trying to help the people who are most vulnerable in this crisis. We are using every measure at our disposal to do that.

HAP homes must be inspected. The Senator referred to standards but there is a maximum time period within which the property must be inspected if it is being used for HAP. Tenants cannot be refused on the basis of using HAP. That is why the use of the place finder and estate agents is so important. It prevents that from being cited or used as a reason to refuse. We monitor this. The operation of HAP is done through an efficient system, which allows us to track what is happening in different parts of the country each week. If there are any concerns in an area about HAP tenancies not being completed or landlords withdrawing, that is notified to the local authority in question and, if necessary, can be escalated to me.