Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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429. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason all local authorities are not obliged to use An Post for the collection of local authority rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47137/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Household Budget facility provided by An Post is available to those local authority tenants who are paid certain social welfare benefits through An Post, and allows tenants to have their rent and other utility bills deducted from these payments. The facility is available in all local authority areas to use as they deem appropriate, and tenants must agree to apply to use the facility for the payment of rent.

The Housing Agency issued guidance earlier this year recommending that local authorities require all new social housing tenants to sign up to the scheme as a condition of their tenancy. This advice followed the introduction in January 2014 by the Department of Social Protection of revised legislation governing the scheme which requires that any tenant who wishes to exit the scheme may only do so with the consent of the relevant housing body.