Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has any plans to allow Peace Commissioners to sign and witness affidavits for social housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60702/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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A signed affidavit or letter is required in circumstances where there is no separation or divorce agreement in place. The affidavit or letter should confirm there is no formal separation agreement and no court proceedings pending under family law legislation, as well as the position regarding maintenance payments, overnight access and 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, and I have no plans to change this requirement at this time.