COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor T. Costello

To ask the Chief Executive how many people have applied for HAP in 2020 and what is the wait time for submission of application to decision.

REPLY:

529 new applications for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) were received in 2020 with 463 approved/completed during the year with an average time for processing applications of approximately five weeks currently.

Timeframes for processing HAP applications are largely determined by the various work processes agreed with the national HAP Shared Services centre hosted in Limerick County Council.  In particular it should be noted that HAP processing times in this Council generally reflect our approach whereby incomplete HAP applications are accepted to allow applicants to secure a HAP tenancy.  This approach relies on a commitment from applicants to follow up with relevant outstanding documentation from their landlord and/or themselves.

A review of all HAP communications information material sent to applicants will be completed once the imminent transtion to the new Integrated Housing System is complete. This will improve the awareness of the need for required supporting documentation when submitting an application and will assist in the quicker approval of applications.