Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
727. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the housing assistance payment scheme, specifically related to the practical accessibility of HAP for single adults in high-cost areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34987/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. This accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
The HAP scheme continues to play a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q4 2025, over 131,600 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which there were 49,663 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, 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. This additional measure recognises the challenges experienced by single-person households, and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case-by-case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case. Local authorities are encouraged to focus the application of discretion on alleviating financial burden for HAP tenants wherever possible, particularly for those in difficult financial circumstances.
My Department has reviewed the use of these measures and their impact on the overall affordability of the HAP scheme for tenants. This review has 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 before the end of Q2 this year.
Additional supports are also available under HAP for homeless households or households at risk of homelessness, including financial supports and access to the Place Finder service. The Place Finder service assists such households primarily by providing access to deposits and advance rental payments. These elements are the core financial supports and are available to prospective tenants in all local authority areas. To qualify for these specific additional supports, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988.
Finally, a landlord or an agent acting on behalf of a landlord is not legally obliged to enter into a tenancy agreement specifically with a HAP recipient. However, on 1 January 2016, the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 introduced ‘housing assistance’ as a new discriminatory ground. This means that discrimination in the provision of accommodation or related service and amenities against people in receipt of rent supplement, HAP or other social welfare payments is prohibited. Further information is available at: www.ihrec.ie/your-rights/housing-assistance-payment/housing.
If a person feels that they have been discriminated against by a landlord or their agent, they can make a complaint under the Equal Status Acts to the Workplace Relations Commission. Further information is available on the Commission’s website: www.workplacerelations.ie/en/.
