1785. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the case of a person (details supplied); to outline the social housing supports that are available to individuals who were forced to leave their homes due to domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61409/26]

Supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including victims and survivors of domestic abuse, is a priority for my Department and the Government. The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Minister for Justice working in conjunction with Cuan, the statutory DSGBV agency under the remit of the Department of Justice.

Local authorities will prioritise allocations to those households they consider to be most in need at any moment in time. Local authorities may also provide for exceptional or emergency cases to qualified households, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting lists priorities, should circumstances require. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.

In 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to local authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims and survivors of domestic violence. The issuing of this 2017 policy and guidance was a significant action in the second national strategy on DSGBV 2016-2021, and has since played an important role in addressing the housing needs of victims and survivors of DSGBV, providing direction to local authorities in supporting these households. It covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims and survivors of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports.