Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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279. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he plans to increase the HAP rate for single people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45830/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) was adequate.  The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of my Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support. 

Following receipt and analysis of this review, I, in cooperation with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, have now approved an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20% to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.  Both these measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.

The review identified that the household type with the largest proportion of tenancies in receipt of discretion are single person households. In addition, these households are, on average, among those requiring the highest levels of discretion. To further assist this cohort, local authorities may apply a couple rate to a new single person tenancy, where required. This additional measure specifically addresses the challenges experienced by single person households and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.

Recognising that newer tenancies are at a higher cost than those tenancies already in place, this measure will apply to new tenancies only. Single person tenancies already in place may request a rent review, with local authorities now in a position to amend the level of discretion up to 35%.

My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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280. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applications received and approved for the croí cónaithe scheme by county and by applications submitted and approved respectively to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45845/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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On the 14 July, my Department launched the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The Fund is initially focused on supporting refurbishment of vacant homes in regional towns and villages. The Fund is being delivered by local authorities, and will provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, initially through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties, with priority given to areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.

All local authorities were requested by my Department to engage in adequate tracking of the operation of the Fund including how many applications have submitted and how many applications have been approved to date. As of 2nd September 2022, the information as follows. Note some of those applications received are currently being processed :

Data will continue to be gathered by my Department on the operation of the Fund. Ongoing review is taking place and a comprehensive overall review and evaluation of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund will be undertaken no later than mid-2024 with the Fund targeted to deliver some 2,000 homes by 2025.