Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
397. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options for individuals fleeing domestic violence and who are forced to leave a joint local authority tenancy for their own safety; the alternatives available to them to moving to a new local authority and rejoining the bottom of the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18045/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra398. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered fast tracking a social housing passport style transfer option between local authorities for individuals fleeing domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18046/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.
The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Minister for Justice working in conjunction with Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency under the remit of the Department of Justice.
Currently, is not possible for a household previously on one social housing waiting list to carry the time spent on that list when applying to another local authority. However, and in line with a commitment in the housing plan, a protocol to allow households fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to transfer time spent on a social housing waiting list to another local authority will be established and implemented this year.
My Department has already engaged with local authorities and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to develop this protocol. The structures to progress this commitment are in place, including a dedicated group of local authority Directors of Housing that is working with my Department to ensure that the protocol is workable, meets the needs of those who can benefit from it, and is finalised as soon as possible.
Notwithstanding this commitment, local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need at any moment in time. Local authorities may also provide for exceptional or emergency cases to qualified households, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting lists priorities, should circumstances require. 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.
Furthermore, in 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to local authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims and survivors of domestic violence. The issuing of this 2017 policy and guidance was a significant action in the second national strategy on DSGBV 2016-2021, and has since played an important role in addressing the housing needs of victims and survivors of DSGBV, providing direction to local authorities in supporting these households. It covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims and survivors of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports.
In June 2022, the Department of Justice published Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV 2022-2026 which is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency plan with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. As an action in this strategy, my Department committed to a review of the 2017 Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs in order to ensure continuing effectiveness and consistency in responses to assist victims of domestic violence. My Department is currently engaging with Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency in relation to this review and proposed recommendations arising from the review.
The new protocol, when developed, will add to the suite of supports available to victims and survivors of domestic violence.
