Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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702. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the case in which a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary does not qualify for rehousing based on regulations laid down to Tipperary County Council by his Department; if he will investigate this case and give consideration to this person, given that this person has three dependent children who hold European citizenship; if the person will be issued with stamp 5 status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34746/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The assessment of applicants for social housing support and the allocation of that support is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. As Minister, I am precluded under housing legislation from exercising any power or control in relation to any case being dealt with by a housing authority and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in this case.

The issuance of Stamp 5 status is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. In this regard, I understand that there is no record of an application from the person concerned in respect of permission to reside in this State under Stamp 5 conditions with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). A non-EEA national may apply for such a permission when he or she has, inter alia, completed 96 months of continuous residency in the State on the basis of a Stamp 1, 3 or 4, or a combination of those immigration endorsements. It is, of course, open to the person concerned to make such an application to INIS and further information and guidelines on the application process can be found on the INIS website, .

In order to qualify for social housing support, applicants who are not Irish or UK citizens must have a legal right to reside in the State. The detailed requirements in this regard are set down in Housing Circular 41/2012 issued by my Department to all housing authorities. Under the Circular, Stamp 5 holders are eligible to be considered for social housing support without reference to previous Stamps.