Deputy Thomas Pringle has called for maximum flexibility in HAP payments to assist people struggling financially.
Addressing Minister Eamon Ryan in the Dáil, Deputy Pringle said: “We saw a small acknowledgement of the cost-of-living crisis last night from your government. But in reality, it won’t even begin to alleviate the pain and suffering I’m seeing on the ground in Donegal. We need action on rents too, and one aspect of that is HAP.
“HAP limits have not increased since 2016, however rents themselves have increased significantly in that time. In 2021 alone, the average rent in County Donegal increased by almost 20 per cent and I know from talking to people on the ground, like the Donegal Travellers Project, that this is a continuing trend in 2022,” he said.
The deputy raised the issue of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) with Minister Ryan during questions on promised legislation.
Deputy Pringle said: “The HAP rate per week is a miserly €46.51 for a single adult in shared accommodation, rising to €121 for a family of five.” He said most are also making significant additional payments to their landlords, with the alternative being homelessness.
“And there is no hope of getting housed either, because of your government policies,” he said.
Deputy Pringle asked: “Will your government increase the HAP limits to reflect reality? Or at the very least instruct local authorities to grant the maximum flexibility of 20 per cent in all cases as a temporary measure?”
