Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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291. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he plans to publish the review into the level of discretion afforded to local authorities with regard to the housing assistance payment; the timeline for the implementation of its recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7307/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.

The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of my Department. The review was submitted on 20 December 2021. It is undergoing analysis by my Department and I expect to receive recommendations following that analysis.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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292. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the review of the tenant purchase scheme; when he plans to introduce further changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7308/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Tenant Purchase Scheme was reviewed in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments in 2021, with amendments to these criteria subsequently approved by Government. The new regulations - S.I. No.776 of 2021 Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 were published on 11 January 2022 and came into effect on 1st February 2022.

Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.