Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the eligibility for social housing of non-EEA citizens holding a stamp 4; if the current guidance for housing authorities document is correct in stating that the person must have had a stamp 4 for at least five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12681/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To be eligible for social housing support, a person must have a long-term right to reside in the State. My Department has given general guidance to authorities on how to assess whether an applicant for housing support has such a long-term right to reside in the State. The latest guidance to local authorities in respect of access to social housing supports for non-Irish nationals, including non-EEA nationals, is set out in my Department's Circular letter SHIP 2010/19 of 24 September 2010. Generally speaking, a non-EEA national with a Stamp 4 endorsement for at least 5 years is eligible on residence grounds to be considered for social housing support. As part of its ongoing liaison with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, my Department will review the guidance to local authorities to ensure that it reflects and interprets correctly the position of non-EEA nationals granted immigration Stamp 4.