€22m spent on HAP rents
By Maurice Garvey
SOUTH Dublin County Council accounted for the highest pay-outs of HAP tenancies in the State in 2017 - costing €22.1 million.
County-by-county figures detailed in a recent Department of Housing report, are a “waste of taxpayer money”, according to Social Democrat Councillor Dermot Looney.
Figures detailed in a Department of Housing report are a 'waste of money' according to a local councillor
Cllr Looney wants to see SDCC put pressure on the government to build social housing, rather than persist with a Government model he feels is “not sustainable in the long term.”
The State-subsidised scheme is the Government’s primary means of providing social housing, and cost €142 million in public money last year across the country.
“Massive money is going into HAP, rent supplements – public money should go into building social housing,” said Cllr Looney.
“Every single person that has come to me for housing, needs HAP, and whilst it is an important emergency intervention to keep people in homes, it is not a long-term solution to the housing crisis.
“The council built zero houses last year, this year they are due to build up to 350 houses. Even if there is no increase in the net HAP paid out over the next five years, the amount will be equivalent to the building of almost 600 council homes.”
He continued: “SDCC will say they were an early adaptor of the HAP scheme and some tenants haven’t transferred over yet from social welfare.
“We were told it would cost the council €191,000 to build a new home. I believe Fine Gael support the scheme, but the reality is that tens of millions is going into the pockets of landlords when we should be building social housing.”
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