158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the direction to local authorities will issue to allow victims and survivors of domestic abuse to move from one local authority list to another and retain their years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17577/26]

Sentiment score: -0.21

The Minister will be aware that last month, as I have done many times before, I raised the issue of victims and survivors of domestic abuse being able to carry time they have accrued on waiting lists from one local authority to another, primarily where that is necessary for their own safety and that of their children. The Tánaiste confirmed that the Minister would be issuing a direction to rectify this. I am looking for an update on that.

Sentiment score: -0.18

That is not exactly what the Tánaiste said. He said, "the Minister for housing has said he will issue a direction to all local authorities to make sure that issue is rectified." It should have taken the Minister two seconds rather than two minutes to answer. Either it is going to issue or it is not. What the Minister is saying is that a protocol is being developed. That is very welcome, but the Minister might provide some clarity in his follow-up. It seemed there was a little bit of slippage there as regards the normal rules on allocation applying. I know exactly how houses are allocated, as does the Minister. I have used the example of a woman in my own constituency and I am going to use it again. I do not know how many names I have now used for her. Jesus, I will nearly use the woman's correct name; I have raised the issue that many times. Let us call her Margaret for the moment. Margaret has been on the Dublin City Council housing list for almost 13 and half years. She is about to be housed in the area where her former partner, who is out of prison after nearly killing her, is living. She cannot go back there. The Garda has told her not to. While she waits for the protocol to be developed and possibly issued at some point, what should she do?

Sentiment score: 0.01

I fully agree with the Minister. The officials I deal with in Fingal County Council lack neither understanding nor capacity but they do lack basic direction from the Government. As the Minister has said, basic and all as this is, it will take at least until this year to get that done, although it is welcome. As I have said, it is an issue I have raised many times. The Minister will be aware of it. It is not going to affect a huge number of people but it will have a serious impact for some people. I trust it is in order to send my own local authority a transcript of this debate to show that this is coming because I do not want this woman to lose out for the sake of a couple of weeks. I hope the council will be able to fully adhere to the protocol when it is issued.

Sentiment score: 0.13