Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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89. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to the 2024 annual report of the special advocate for survivors of institutional abuse, the consideration given to the creation of an additional housing need category pursuant to Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations to include the category of ‘survivor’ being a survivor of institutional abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35846/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of social housing support to qualified households, including the prioritisation of certain categories of households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011, as amended.

This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme which specifies, among other things, the manner of, and the order of priority for, the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists.

In their allocation schemes, local authorities may prioritise certain classes of households for allocation on the basis of their need. Local authorities may also reserve a certain proportion of dwellings for all or any of the following purposes: allocation to particular categories of households, particular forms of tenure, allocation to households transferring from other forms of social housing support.

An allocation scheme may also contain provisions for exceptional or emergency cases, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting list priorities, should circumstances warrant it. Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.