Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

746. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the rollout of a social housing passport that will allow persons on social housing waiting lists to change local authority without losing time on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29049/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The concept of a Housing Passport, intended to facilitate eligible social housing applicants to access social housing in any local authority of their preference has been considered by my Department in consultation with local authorities.

An initial scoping exercise was carried out by my Department which identified a range of practical and administrative issues, including those related to the income eligibility differences across local authority areas, maintenance of seniority on housing waiting lists, local connection requirements, the efficient allocation of existing housing stock, and resource implications for local authorities including the absence of a technology to support such an approach.

It should be noted however, there is already a degree of flexibility regarding housing waiting lists. The four Dublin local authorities have arrangements allowing social housing applicants apply for housing in up to two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously. Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.