Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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529. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if in the instance of a social housing assistance income assessment being undertaken and that the decision is disputed by the applicant after appeal with the local authority, would the applicant have any recourse by way of appeal to his Department or other sources. [65756/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Decisions on eligibility for social housing support are a matter solely for local authorities with reference to eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

Currently, there is no statutory provision for the appeal of decisions taken concerning social housing assessments. Local authorities have long established internal complaints and decision review systems, which may be used to appeal cases. Such arrangements are a matter for the local authority concerned. If a household considers they have been unfairly treated or are not satisfied with the decision at that stage of the appeal, they could contact the Office of the Ombudsman. By law the Ombudsman can investigate complaints about any of the Local Authorities administrative actions or procedures.

The Government approved the priority legal drafting of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which amends the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 by making provision for residency and habitual residency as an eligibility criteria for social housing support. Government has recently approved my proposal for the development of further amendments to provide for a statutory appeals process for decisions relating to assessments for social housing. Drafting of the Bill is ongoing and I intend to seek Government approval to publish the Bill once this process is completed.