Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 901: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he is adapting to the increased need for one and two bedroom social housing to cope with the demand over the past ten years for houses for separated and divorced men and women; and the policy on such a change in housing needs nationally. [28485/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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There is a broad range of supports currently available for members of households who have suffered a marital separation, subject to the terms of the relevant scheme of letting priorities and taking account of each household's individual circumstances. Housing authorities continuously tailor their housing supply programmes to the needs of the households on their waiting lists.

Notwithstanding this, the housing needs assessment process is currently the subject of reform, with the aim of putting in place a more graduated and flexible system of housing supports to meet the housing needs of applicants over their lifetimes. This includes developing appropriate mechanisms to cater to those households who require a change in the support being provided on foot of their changing circumstances. This approach is in keeping with the lifecycle framework introduced in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, which has been reflected in the Government's housing policy statement — Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.