Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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567. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the housing situation for rental accommodation scheme applicants in respect of a family (details supplied) in Dublin 5; his plans to sort out the problem of the lack of social housing for many families such as highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister's power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions shall not be construed as enabling him to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. Accommodation provided under the Rental Accomodation Scheme (RAS) is governed by the terms of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended. The Act provides the main regulatory framework for the private rented residential sector and provides for security of tenure. The grounds upon which a tenancy in the private rented residential sector may be legally terminated are clearly set out in the 2004 Act. It also specifies minimum obligations for both landlords and tenants under a tenancy.

In accordance with the terms of the Scheme local authorities retain the responsibility to source further accommodation for a household accommodated under RAS should the dwelling that the household is living in become unavailable through no fault of their own. It is a matter for local authorities to make every effort to secure suitable alternative accommodation for any household in RAS in the circumstances outlined as quickly as possible.

In light of the well documented pressures on the rental market in certain locations it is not always straightforward to source new RAS properties. In all cases, not just where a tenancy is under threat, there is no bar on RAS households from sourcing alternative accommodation themselves, if they so desire, independent of the local authority. Once the local authority is satisfied that the accommodation meets the needs of the household and conforms to standards for rental accommodation which are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 the property can be brought into the RAS Scheme.

The supply of social housing is a key priority for the Government. The Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published in November 2014, sets out clear, measureable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list.

The Strategy provides for a total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and aims to meet the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme, consequently addressing the needs of the 90,000 households currently on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand.  Implementing the Strategy will require a considerable and co-ordinated effort from key stakeholders. The detailed governance structure, including dedicated work streams, will ensure the actions in the Strategy are overseen and delivered. I and Minister of State Coffey will chair the Oversight Group which will be driving the implementation of the Strategy as a whole.