Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a decision will be made regarding Dublin City Council's revised scheme of lettings, submitted to his Department over a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8502/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the scheme of letting being used by Dublin City Council is discriminatory of single parent families; and the action he will take to address this matter. [8504/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 349 together.

The revised scheme of letting priorities submitted by Dublin City Council is currently under consideration in my Department. Officials from the Council met with my Department in November 2008 to discuss the various proposed amendments. I expect to make a decision on the revised scheme in the near future.

In relation to single parent families the current scheme awards 5 points for an applicant, 20 points for a spouse/partner and 3 points for each child. A proposed revision to the scheme will award 20 points to each family member, making the awarding of points under 'Matters Personal to the Applicant — Size of Applicants Household' more equitable.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if discussions have been held with local authorities to produce a standardised scheme of lettings across all local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8503/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As part of a suite of social housing reforms, proposals to reform allocation policy, including schemes of letting priorities, were developed in consultation with the County and City Managers Association. The social partners, through the Housing Forum, and local elected representatives were also consulted on the allocation policy proposals. These proposals have been included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which will provide a general framework within which housing authorities will make their prioritisation schemes.