John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

240. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will include a further column which would indicate the anticipated completion date for each scheme with regard to the social housing construction projects quarterly status reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25778/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All projects that are listed in the recently updated Social Housing Construction Status Report are being advanced through initial design, planning approval - with potential planning conditions - detailed design, tendering in line with public procurement requirements, placing of the contract and construction.

In that context, the advancement of each of these projects is a matter for the individual local authorities and the approved housing bodies and is subject to a wide range of exigencies, which can make it difficult to provide precise timings. I have undertaken to update the Status Report on a quarterly basis and this will show where progress is being made across all the projects and where new projects are being added to the pipeline. I am keen that all local authorities and approved housing bodies advance their social housing projects as speedily as possible and importantly I have assured them that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.

In relation to the Deputy's specific query, my Department will, of course, consider the scope to add further information on projects, where possible, in future updates to the Status Report.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

241. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review the level of rents being paid under the rent supplement and HAP schemes; if he has satisfied himself that the current rents payable under these schemes is sufficient to ensure that persons dependent on these payments can access housing at current rent levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25779/17]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

242. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of persons in receipt of HAP and rent supplement that are currently receiving an uplift in their payments by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25780/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.

Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation, the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 (as amended). The Government increased the maximum rent limits available under the HAP and Rent Supplement schemes across the country with effect from 1 July 2016. Furthermore, additional flexibility above the existing HAP rent limits was made available to all HAP local authorities from the same date.

Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis.

From data that is available, at the end of Q1 2017, 14.4% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefitting from the additional flexibility that was provided to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limits. A table identifying the  number of households being supported by HAP where additional flexibility was utilised by local authority area is provided below.

*Dublin City Council  figures include homeless households assisted under the Homeless HAP scheme, under which additional discretion is available in recognition of the difficulty that can exist in housing homeless households.

More than 22,000 households are currently in receipt of HAP support. A breakdown by the  number of households supported by HAP, including the number of Rent Supplement transfers in each local authority area for 2016 and for Q1 2017, is available on my Department's website at the following link: .

My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland.

Rent Supplement is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.