Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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863. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if direction has been issued by him or his Department to local authorities to contact those on the housing list to fill out a rental accommodation scheme questionnaire, threatening them with the closure of their housing application if they do not respond in 14 days, despite the fact that they did not apply for the scheme; his views on such directions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28821/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Local authorities are responsible for administering the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Scheme, as well as guidelines and directions issued by my Department. No instruction has issued from my Department to local authorities on the matter referred to. The RAS is targeted at those in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more. Section 19 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which was commenced in 2011, defined Social Housing Support, which included RAS dwellings. From 1 April 2011, RAS tenants were formally deemed to be “in receipt of social housing support” and, as a consequence of having their housing needs met, could not remain on the general housing waiting list.