Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

16. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of HAP tenancies created to date in 2017 throughout the country; the number of HAP tenancies created to date in 2017 in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52269/17]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently over 30,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 20,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

An accelerated target of an additional 15,000 households to be supported by HAP was set for 2017 under Rebuilding Ireland and I can confirm that this figure has been exceeded. 16,865 additional households have been supported by HAP to date in 2017 across the country, with 522 additional households being supported in the administrative area of Wexford County Council in this period. HAP is proving successful in Wexford with an average of 11 additional households being supported by the scheme every week in 2017.

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