Over half on Fingal housing list are non-Irish nationals.

For the first time more than half those on the waiting list for social housing in Fingal County Council are non-Irish nationals. A third are from outside the EU.

Single parents on the list have risen by 28% to 3,480 and now account for 43% of those waiting to be housed.

The total number on the housing list is 8,144 an increase of 22% on the 6,691 on the list a year ago.

There are a total of 4,108 applicants seeking social housing support with Fingal County Council of non-Irish nationality. Of this group, 2,362  are of non-EU nationality.


It is obvious from the figures that a significant number of the non-Irish nationals on the list have declared themselves as single parents.

Those on the social housing list are entitled to obtain rent allowance while they wait to be housed.  In Fingal this can take up to six years or more. Figures supplied to me by the HSE revealed that over half a billion was paid out in rent supplement in 2009. Half of all residential rents in Ireland are now paid for by the state.

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2011

ITEM 17

Question:  Councillor K. Dennison

“To ask the Manager how many households are on the list for social housing and how many of these are single parents?”

Reply:

There are currently 8,144 approved applicants who are seeking social housing support with Fingal County Council.  Of this total, 3,480 present as single parents.

ITEM 18

Question: Councillor K. Dennison

“To ask the Manager for an update of the number of individuals of non-Irish nationality and of non-EU nationality on the social housing list?”


Reply:

There are currently 8,144 approved applicants seeking Social Housing support with Fingal County Council. There is a total of 4,108 applicants seeking social housing support with Fingal County Council of non-Irish nationality. Then, of this group, there is currently a total of 2,362 applicants who are of non-EU nationality seeking social housing support.

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Note: These questions were originally asked by Deputy Joan Burton in 2009.