Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
425. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new HAP tenancies created in 2025; the number of these that were homeless HAP tenancies; the number that were based on the 30% financial hardship ; the number on the standard rate; and the average costs for each three categories, standard, 30% uplift, homeless HAP 50% uplift. [47103/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for housing support through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. The HAP scheme continues to play a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals.
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. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. 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.
The average use of discretion at the end of Q4 2025 was 71.3%. The average level of discretion granted to HAP tenancies is 30.3%. The average level of discretion granted for Homeless HAP tenancies is 40.9%.
In 2025, 6,556 new HAP tenancies were set up. Of these, 2,328 were Homeless HAP. The monthly gross average cost per HAP tenancy at the end of Q4 2025 was €1,027. The monthly average cost per HAP tenancy funded by the Exchequer i.e. net of average differential rent, at the end of Q4 2025 was €769. This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme.
My Department does not hold the additional information requested.
