Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious administrative backlog and ongoing workload generated by the current voluminous nature of local authority housing application documentation; if a simplified method can be investigated, with regular updating of information by the housing authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30685/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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A new procedure for local authority assessment of social housing applicants came into force on 1 April 2011, introducing a fairer, more consistent and transparent approach to determining eligibility for social housing support. Applicants now apply to one housing authority only in order to be placed on up to three waiting lists. The new system also involves a standard application form and maximum net income limits based on the cost of housing in the area in question.

I propose in the coming months to review the new assessment system generally with a view to making any adjustments required in light of experience since its introduction.