Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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278. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether the HAP agreement between landlords and tenants is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2970/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. The tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended. HAP supported tenancies are afforded the same protections as all private rented tenancies.

Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, HAP provides for the payment of rent for a dwelling to a landlord on behalf of a qualified household. The HAP application form comes in two parts, Section A to be completed by the applicant tenant and Section B to be completed by the landlord or agent. An application for HAP will only be accepted by the local authority when both Section A and Section B are completed, signed and returned, along with the required supporting documentation.