The Irish Traveller Movement Independent Law Centre has confirmed that although the qualifying age for a housing applicant is 18 years, married couples under the age of 18 may also be considered. The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government have advised individual authorities who have queried this issue.
In addition, the Department is reviewing the Guidance for Local Authorities on Assessing Eligibility and Need for Social Housing Supports which implemented sections 20 and 21 of the Housing Act 2009. The ITM’s recommendations are due to be included in a number of revisions of new guidance to be issued to local authorities.
This comes in response to the young Traveller couple who reached a settlement with their local authority outside of the Equality Tribunal as they were refused a place on the housing list as they were under the age of 18. Bulletin readers may recall that the couple were represented by Siobhán Cummiskey of the Irish Traveller Movement Independent Law Centre and the settlement saw the couple’s names being placed on the housing list.
Click here to see the letter from the Irish Traveller Movement Independent Law Centre regarding the policy change.