Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1165. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount local authorities (details supplied) have paid out to estate agents in finder's fees in order to locate social housing under the housing assistance scheme for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1246/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Homeless HAP Place Finder Service, which all local authorities can, if required, provide in their area, is a targeted support for homeless households who are finding it difficult to secure HAP tenancies. The Place Finder Service has been successfully utilised by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) across the Dublin local authorities since February 2015, with more than 4,300 households being supported by the Homeless HAP scheme at end Q3 2018.

The Place Finder Service can assist households in emergency accommodation primarily by providing access to deposits and advance rental payments. Local authorities, including the DRHE, are promoting the scheme locally, and engaging with letting agents and landlords who might be interested in entering into a HAP tenancy.

The DRHE, in conjunction with my Department, has put in place an incentive for estate agents whereby, should they make suitable properties exclusively available to homeless families through the Place Finders team within the DRHE, and not advertise them on letting websites or elsewhere, or should they hold reserved viewings for homeless families in emergency accommodation, then, after five properties have been secured in this manner, a payment will be made to the agent, following the submission of the appropriate paperwork.

While my Department is working with the DRHE in relation to estate agents and finders fees, this arrangement has not been extended by my Department to any other local authority outside of the DRHE.

Where a local authority decides to enhance the Homeless HAP service beyond the financial assistance provided by my Department, the arrangement, management and oversight of the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service, including any contractual matters that may arise with relevant third parties, is a matter for each individual local authority.