Sinn Fein has hit out at the Department for Social Protection after "forcing" long term housing applicants who received rent supplement onto the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

Sinn Féin Councillor Eoin Ó Broin said it is "disgraceful" and also accused the Government of "massaging housing list figures".

Mr Ó Broin continued: "Families on the Council list who moved into HAP accommodation would be taken off the main Council list and moved to a HAP transfer list. While this would add years to their wait they would at least still have a chance of a permanent home.

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"When the scheme was introduced in South Dublin County Council in January 2014 the Council took a decision to direct only new applicants to the housing system onto HAP. The reason was those families who had waited 9 or 10 years on the Council list should not be forced to wait any longer as a result of taking up HAP. It was our clear understanding that these families would be left on rent supplement as they were very close to securing a Council allocation.

"However despite this being the policy of the Council, the Department of Social Protection has this week written to families who have been on the Council list for over 9 years threatening them of withdrawing rent supplement payments if they do not transfer over to HAP.

"This is a deeply cynical move by the Government. They are trying to introduce this unfair policy after the Dáil had been suspended in the hope that it wouldn’t be noticed."

(CD/MH)