Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures used to fast track a local authority social housing transfer for a tenant who may be in a life-threatening situation due to location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37715/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.

Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 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 and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

It is the local authority which assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme. Allocation schemes may also contain provisions for exceptional or emergency cases, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting list priorities, should circumstances warrant it. Ultimately, it is a matter for the local authority to decide the conditions to be met in relation to transfer applications.

As Minister, I am precluded by law from becoming involved in individual cases.