Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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2213. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the protocols and legislation under which a physically disabled person living in circumstances (details supplied) can obtain the opportunity for independent living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27779/17]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant housing authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.  In order to qualify for social housing support and be placed on a housing list, an applicant must be assessed by the authority concerned as meeting all of the eligibility and need criteria set down in the legislation.

Where a household is deemed by a housing authority to meet all of the eligibility criteria, which primarily relate to income and alternative accommodation, the authority may determine that the household has a housing need, and thus qualifies for support, on the basis of particular household circumstances or exceptional medical or compassionate grounds. It is important to note that the same process applies to all applicants, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Decisions on the qualification of specific persons for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the housing authority concerned. 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 housing functions is not to be construed as enabling him or her to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned.

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