Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1106.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an urgent review can be conducted of the administration of the HAP nationwide; and his views on whether the scheme is still fit for purpose, given current rent costs and HAP limits. [32435/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The HAP Scheme continues to plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q1 2024, over 119,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were nearly 55,758 households actively in receipt of HAP support. The 2024 budget allocation of €525 million will enable continued support for existing tenancies along with funding for 8,800 new households to be accommodated in HAP supported tenancies.

A key principle of the Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rental market. HAP rent limits are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned. Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and are advised not to provide HAP support to tenancies where the household would not be in a position to meet the rental costs sought. The administration of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and it is the responsibility of the local authority to make a decision in each individual case.

Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment above the prescribed maximum rent limit. Since July 2022 this discretion level was increased to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. Up to 50% discretion can be provided in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region.

My Department continually monitors the implementation of policies and objectives in relation to social housing, as well as the costs associated with implementation, and works to ensure the best value for money for the level of resources available, taking account of the level of housing needs to be met.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1108.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider the inclusion of mobility scooters for funding under the mobility aids grant scheme. [32437/24]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.

The Mobility Aids Grant is for older people or disabled people who find it difficult to move around their home due to mobility issues. The grant is to improve access, by adding adaptations to the house such as, grab rails; a ramp; a hoist, an accessible shower or a stair lift. Further details on these schemes is available at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/

The provision of grants for mobility scooters is beyond the scope of the responsibility of my Department.