Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if women who flee domestic violence situations in their own homes are entitled to be placed on a social housing waiting list; the legislation this is governed by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6883/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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There are a range of services available to deal with needs arising in cases of domestic violence, both in terms of protection of the abused partner and any children, and any need for emergency accommodation. Persons who are subjected to domestic violence do not need to go on the general housing waiting lists to avail of short-term emergency housing.Where a social housing assessment is an appropriate longer-term response to a case of domestic violence, the household concerned may be determined to be in need of social housing support where, in accordance with the 2011 social housing assessment regulations, a housing authority considers that the household’s current accommodation is unsuitable in terms of adequate housing provision, having regard to particular household circumstances or on exceptional medical or compassionate grounds. The household must also meet other relevant need and eligibility criteria prescribed in the 2011 regulations in order to qualify for social housing support, and be entered on a housing authority list of qualified households.