Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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288. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the changes to housing assistance payment rates; when the HAP rates will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34509/22]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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300. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he plans to review the housing assistance payment levels in view of the rental increases nationwide and particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [34584/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 300 together.

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of 2021, over 100,000 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 61,900 households actively in receipt of HAP support. Of these, 463 were in Cavan and 566 were in Monaghan.

Local authorities 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. It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether the application of a discretionary increase is warranted, and the level of such an increase, on a case-by-case basis.

Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of the 20% discretion available to local authorities under the HAP scheme was required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.

Following this analysis, I am working with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide for an increase in the HAP discretion rate to 35% and, for new tenancies, to expand the couple’s rate to single persons where required. Further details will be available when the engagement process is complete. These changes will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.