Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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1974. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the decision making process for medical and disability priority for local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37296/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. 

This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households. Under the 2009 Act, a household is defined as a person living alone, or two or more persons, who in the opinion of the local authority concerned, have a reasonable requirement to live together.

As such, it is a matter for each housing authority to decide on the type of support to be allocated to individual households.  As Minister, I am precluded by the 2009 Act from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by housing authorities in the allocation of particular dwellings. 

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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1975. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the name of the chief medical officer for each local authority housing section; the process of appointment for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37297/17]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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2025. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if each application for the medical priority housing list received by local authorities is assessed by a doctor; the name of each doctor who assesses applications for medical priority housing list by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38167/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1975 and 2025 together.

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.

The assessment of households for social housing support, and the allocation of that support to qualified households is a matter for individual housing authorities in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations.  As Minister, I am precluded by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009  from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by housing authorities in the assessment of households, the allocation of particular dwellings and the provision of social housing supports.

Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides the legislative framework that local authorities adhere to in the allocation of dwellings.  Section 22 (3) requires housing authorities to make an allocation scheme that will determine the order of priority  to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings and Section 22 (8) states that an allocation scheme may provide that housing authorities shall obtain and have regard to a report from a medical practitioner employed by the Health Service Executive in the allocation of dwellings where priority is claimed on grounds consisting of, or including, exceptional medical grounds.