Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
512. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process in place for a person who has literacy issues, who receives a social housing income assessment but does not fill it out in time or fully understand the document. [32144/26]
View answer513. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is possible for a person to nominate an appointed contact person for their social housing application. [32145/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the 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.
Regulation 12 of the 2011 Regulations prescribes the timescales for the processing of applications by local authorities and provides that, subject to conditions, a local authority shall deal with an application within a period of 12 weeks. Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and ensure that such applications are dealt with within time-frames that are significantly shorter that the statutory maximum.
My Department introduced a revised social housing application form, most recently in 2022, in consultation with the local authority sector. The changes made provided an application form that is more customer focused, and which is more streamlined and accessible for the applicant. The application form provides for applicants to identify housing requirements arising from a disability or medical condition.
Additionally, the Housing Agency has published a number of documents to assist people in accessing social housing supports. These include "Housing Options" and "An Easy to Read Guide to filling in the Social Housing Support Application Form". All documents are available on the websites of the Housing Agency, the local authorities and Citizens' Information.
There is no facility on the application form for an applicant to nominate an appointed contact person. However, local authority staff are available to assist applicants who may have difficulty in completing the form. The day-to-day operation of the social housing system is a matter solely for each local authority including any assistance provided in this regard.
