Cormac Devlin
Ceist:109. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review housing assistance payment limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48096/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 June 2026
Ceisteanna (109)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
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 exercise highlighted that the affordability and sustainability of HAP tenancies continues to be impacted by pressures in the private rental market. Therefore, I gave approval for a review of the HAP rent limits to be undertaken.
My Department is now nearing completion of this review of the 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.