Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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108. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of landlords who have dropped out of the rental accommodation scheme in each of the past three years, by authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10823/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Final detailed data relating to 2016 Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) activity at local authority level are not yet available. The information requested by the Deputy relating to the years 2013 to 2015 is set out as follows.

While some 3,286 RAS contracts relating to 4,712 separate tenancies, ended during this three year period, a further 6,706 new RAS tenancies commenced. This represented a net gain of 1,994 active RAS tenancies in the 3 year period outlined.

It should be noted that the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which also provides social housing support through the private rental sector, began its phased statutory roll out in September 2014. At the end of 2015, there were more than 6,000 households being supported by the scheme with more than 4,000 separate landlords and agents receiving housing assistance payments at that time. More than 15,000 separate landlords and agents are currently in receipt of housing assistance payments (HAP) on behalf of more than 18,000 separate households who are being supported by HAP.

Total number of Landlords who left the Rental Accommodation Scheme

While RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support and remains a significant part of the suite of social housing options available to local authorities when meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland, I will keep its operation under review.