Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1521. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the options available to a person (details supplied) who does not meet the criteria for social housing but still has a housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33670/14]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1537. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the rental accommodation scheme in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33912/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1521 and 1537 together.

The administration of the Rental Accommodation Scheme is a matter for individual local authorities. In order to qualify for the scheme, a household must be assessed by the relevant authority as being eligible for social housing support and having a housing need, and have been in receipt of rent supplement for the previous 18 months.

In determining the eligibility of individual households for social housing support, local authorities have regard to section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 which set down the eligibility criteria for such support.

Regulation 22(1) of the 2011 provides that a household with alternative accommodation that would meet its housing need is ineligible for social housing support. However paragraph (2) of the Regulation clarifies that this does not operate to exclude from eligibility for social housing support an applicant who owns accommodation that is occupied by his or her spouse, from whom he or she is separated under a court order or deed of separation.

Section 49(2)(e) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 amended section 20 of the 2009 Act to deal with situations where a housing authority is unable to establish for the time being whether alternative accommodation is available to a household that would meet its housing need because a household member is separated and has a claim on the family home that has not been determined. The amendment provides that, where such a household is otherwise qualified for social housing support, the household will, subject to review by the housing authority at prescribed intervals, be entitled to housing assistance or accommodation provided under a rental accommodation arrangement. Section 49(2)(e) came into operation on 15 September 2014.