1818. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the interest of transparency, objectivity, better-informed policy discussions, and having an evidence-based democracy, if he would accept that the vacuum of information in relation to the nationalities of those on the housing list is contributing to misinformation online around the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58434/26]

1819. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he would be prepared to request that local authorities record anonymised annual statistics on the nationality of those on their housing and HAP lists in Ireland, that elected reps can access, in terms of numbers of Irish citizens, EU citizens and non-EU citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58435/26]

1820. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he would be prepared to publish anonymised annual statistics on the nationality of those on the housing and HAP lists in Ireland, that elected reps can access, in terms of numbers of Irish citizens, EU citizens and non-EU citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58436/26]

1821. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Ireland's habitual residency rule, that allows access to state Housing supports, HAP and other public services after 52 weeks residency, makes us an outlier in the EU; if Ireland has considered increasing the timescale beyond one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58437/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1818, 1819, 1820 and 1821 together.

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

In order for a household to qualify for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Policy in respect of residency related eligibility requirements is set out in Department Housing Circular 41 of 2012. There is no habitual residency rule that refers to a 12 month period as suggested in the Deputy's question.

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).

The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2025, is available on my Department's website, along with all summaries since 2011 at www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.

Details of on the citizenship of the main applicant qualified for social housing support for each local authority are included in tables 2.9 and A1.9 in the report.

As social housing support is intended to address a household’s long-term housing need it is expected that households applying for such support have both a long-term entitlement and intention to continue to reside in the State. It is the responsibility of the local authority, to make a decision in each individual case with regard to qualification for social housing support, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended and associated Housing Circulars.

The Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, signed by the President on 22 July 2026 introduces clear legal requirements regarding lawful and habitual residency in order to qualify for social housing. Preparations are underway for the commencement of the new statutory arrangements.

My Department continually reviews the social housing eligibility framework and other related matters, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda to ensure that the social housing system efficiently delivers social housing supports that are fair, sustainable and prioritise those most in need.

Housing legislation currently provides for considerable data sharing measures with relevant bodies which local authorities may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to perform its functions under the relevant Housing Acts. My Department keeps these matters under constant review.