Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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280. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his ministerial regulations allow a single person who requires an apartment on their own on medical grounds, for example, cystic fibrosis, access a higher level of housing assistance payment than is normal for a single person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41548/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people, including people with disabilities, who have a long-term housing need. The Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017 prescribe maximum rent limits for each housing authority, according to prescribed household classes, and the Regulations incorporate rent limits for a single household.

If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority.

A key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs, in their area of choice. In cases where there is a distinct on-going dependent relationship, or where additional requirements are necessary in order to assist a person with a disability, local authorities may consider the individual circumstances of each case.