Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
718. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any review ongoing of the housing assistance payment scheme within his Department with a view to ensuring it is operating as smoothly as possible for tenants in receipt of this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34978/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra719. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any review ongoing of the housing assistance payment scheme within his Department with a view to ensuring it is operating as smoothly as possible for landlords that have tenants that are in receipt of this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra720. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding any review ongoing of the housing assistance payment scheme within his Department with a view to ensuring that anyone entitled to this payment can access it and is fully aware of their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34980/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 718, 719 and 720 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Once a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. The day-to-day operation of the HAP scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Detailed information on the HAP scheme, for both tenants and landlords, is available on the dedicated HAP website (www.hap.ie). This information is kept under review and updated regularly to take account of any developments. HAP scheme information is also available on individual local authority websites and from Citizens Information.
The Office of the Ombudsman completed an investigation into the administration of the HAP scheme to look at ways to improve the operation of the current scheme and highlight good practice in this area. In total, the Office of the Ombudsman reached 19 findings with associated recommendations. The report was published in June 2025. My Department continues to engage with the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to these recommendations and is working with all the relevant stakeholders regarding their implementation. My Department is committed to making any viable changes to ensure that the HAP scheme continues to provide a vital social housing support which assists those with a long-term housing need to access accommodation in the private rental market.
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, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. Local authorities also have additional flexibility to apply a couple HAP rate to single person households.
My Department reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continues to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. My Department is now undertaking a review of existing HAP rent limits to ensure there is sufficient support under the HAP scheme to assist eligible households in accessing accommodation in the private rental sector. It is intended that the review process will conclude by end of Q2 this year.
