John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, under section 15 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997, the Government has bilateral agreements with EU countries outside of the UK to obtain information on housing applicants with the equivalent bodies named under the Act, the Criminal Assets Bureau, a member of the Garda Síochána, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, a health board or a body approved for the purposes of section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992; if not, the steps he will take to rectify this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32849/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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There is no provision under section 15 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 for my Department to enter into bilateral agreements as suggested in the Question.

As indicated in the replies to Questions Nos. 595 of 23 October 2007 and 665 of 27 November 2007, the assessment of housing need, including verification of the relevant circumstances of applicants, is a matter for the local authority concerned.