Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he considers it appropriate that parents of children who are separating amiably and who jointly attest to shared custody of their children are being obliged by Kildare County Council to provide legal confirmation of their custody arrangements, thereby incurring delays and significant expense prior to being included on a local authority housing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42229/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 dealing with social housing support, and the related Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, were commenced on 1 April 2011. These provide a standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing. The ultimate aim of the new system is to create a fairer, more consistent and transparent approach to eligibility for social housing support. The criteria for determining housing need are set out in the regulations . In assessing the household’s application, the housing authority will consider such factors as household size, household income, their present accommodation (if any), the condition of that accommodation, and any special circumstances including age, disability, medical circumstances etc. Decisions on the eligibility of specific households for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned. In seeking to determine eligibility for social housing support the housing authority may seek additional documentation from applicants. It is a matter for the local authority to determine what is required in individual cases.