Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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730. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 11 March 2021, if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15724/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Tenants in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme.

HAP tenants in arrears should contact their local authority and the HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC).  HAP SSC manage the collection of all HAP tenant’s differential rents and follow a clear communication policy if rental arrears issues arise.  The HAPSSC policy includes regular and early written communication with tenants, landlords and the relevant local authority.

HAP SSC will discuss all options that are available, one of which includes a payment plan, to ensure the continuation of their HAP support.   In the vast majority of cases a payment plan to deal with the arrears is agreed between the tenant and the local authority / HAPSSC, before there is any necessity to advise the landlord.  

During the period of Covid restrictions all possible steps have been taken to protect those households in HAP tenancies and ensure landlords continue to be paid under the scheme, including extended time frames introduced into the Debt Management Process to assist HAP tenants in clearing their arrears over a longer period of time.