Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will examine measures to support the continued availability of rental accommodation to households in receipt of the housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53827/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. At the end of Q1 2025, almost 127,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 52,657 households actively in receipt of HAP support.

Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit, and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market. It is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.

I have also recently approved the commencement of a review of HAP rent limits. My Department is now in the process of setting the parameters of such a review. It is intended that the review will consider the existing rent limits with a view to providing sufficient support to assist eligible households to access and maintain tenancies, and prevent homeless presentations.

In addition, for those in an existing HAP tenancy, the HAP Landlord Guarantee Scheme is in place. This scheme can be used when a HAP tenant defaults on their differential rent payment to the local authority and it allows the HAP payment to the landlord to continue. The tenant is offered the option of a payment plan to assist them in maintaining their tenancy. If the tenant defaults on payment of differential rent or the payment plan, the HAP payment to the landlord will be guaranteed for a maximum 12-month period.