The Government plans to end the provision of free social housing to illegal immigrants in Ireland, reports The Mirror.
A new piece of legislation aimed at banning this contentious practice is set to be published in the Autumn and brought before the Dáil in the coming months.
Under the proposed law, any new applicants for social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) will be required to be habitual residents of the country, reports The Mirror.
Currently, this condition is not part of the housing eligibility criteria, which has led to significant public frustration and backlash from voters.
However, the Human Rights and Equality Commission is opposing the move, warning that the legal change could increase homelessness among vulnerable groups. It has expressed particular concern about the impact on the Roma and Traveller communities, reports The Mirror.
The proposed change was disclosed by Housing Minister James Browne in response to a parliamentary question raised by Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín.
Deputy Tóibín has consistently argued that access to social and affordable housing, as well as State rent supports, should be limited to Irish citizens or those residing in the country legally, reports The Mirror.
Minister Browne stated that social housing applications are evaluated by the relevant local authorities based on the eligibility and needs criteria outlined in section 20 of the Housing Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.
He stated: “Policy in respect of residency related eligibility requirements is set out in Department Circular 41 of 2012. Habitual residency is not currently a criteria as part of the assessment process. In this context in January 2024 Government approved the priority legal drafting the Housing ( Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 which includes inter alia, provision for legal and habitual residence as an eligibility criterion for social housing support. My Department is engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel during the drafting process. I intend to bring a Memorandum to the Government seeking approval to publish the Bill after the summer recess,” reports The Mirror.
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