Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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127. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to upgrade or amend the HAP scheme (details supplied); his further plans to increase the HAP rent caps to a level that reflects current rents; and his views on whether families in accommodation that no longer suits their needs should be allowed to move to another tenancy and at the same time hold onto the HAP given that many of these tenancies are now years in existence [12104/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. 

HAP rent limits were set in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection in 2016. Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. 

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 Minister O’Brien expects to receive recommendations following that analysis. 

HAP provides flexibility to tenants to source accommodation in the private rental market that suits their needs. 

In relation to moving from one tenancy to another, on entering HAP, the tenant is required to stay in the same property for at least two years. However, you may be able to apply to your local authority for a new HAP payment for another property sooner if your circumstances change. For example, if you receive a job offer in another area, or if your family changes in size and the property is no longer big enough.