Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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294. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider an issue (details supplied) from a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for social housing support are assessed by local authorities, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set out in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.

Where relevant to the circumstances, a copy of a separation or divorce agreement for both applicants is required with the social housing application form. However, if there is no agreement, a letter from the applicant's solicitor or a legal affidavit signed by a practising solicitor will suffice. The letter should confirm there is no formal separation agreement and no court proceedings pending under family law legislation, as well as the position in relation to maintenance payments, overnight access/ custody arrangements for children and property ownership. It is considered appropriate that such confirmation is provided by a solicitor given the sensitivity and complexity of issues involved.

This requirement has been in place since the Social Housing Assessment Regulations were introduced in 2011, which standardised the assessment process.