'Reliance' on housing payment to 'put roof over people's heads'

Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee, Graham Doyle, secretary-general of the Department of Housing, said 'Over time as we put in place more and more social housing we would look to see the numbers on HAP reduce.' Picture: File Picture

The head of the Department of Housing has admitted that there has been a “reliance” on the housing assistance payment (HAP) in recent years but that it is expected to bring expenditure on the system down “over time”.

Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee yesterday evening Graham Doyle, secretary-general of the Department, said that HAP, though not perfect “is a way of meeting a housing need”.