Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities are mandated to consider if persons on social housing lists have had their housing needs fulfilled when they are accepted onto the rental accommodation scheme; if they will still be considered for housing opportunities on social housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30749/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009 gives legislative recognition to rental accommodation availability agreements as a form of social housing support. Consequently, since 1 April 2011, RAS tenants are now considered to be in receipt of social housing support and should not generally remain on the housing waiting lists for new applicants for social housing.

In recognition that RAS tenants may have had reasonable expectations about retaining access to traditional local authority rented accommodation, guidance issued by my Department in May 2011 this year recommended that there should be a special transfer pathway for RAS tenants to other forms of social housing support. It is my understanding that the members of many authorities have now included a provision of this type in their Allocation Schemes and that such tenants are included on transfer waiting lists. The Housing Agency will shortly issue updated and more detailed guidance to authorities on the matter.

RAS tenants obtain significant benefits through being in receipt of social housing support compared to remaining on Rent Supplement. In the first instance, it allows such tenants to take up full-time employment following their move to RAS. Secondly, the housing needs of the tenants become the responsibility of the housing authority, with the added security that implies. Finally, it ensures that tenants do not have to apply for social housing and be assessed under the new Housing Needs Assessment criteria.