what way does the HOUSING LIST work?

Im on the housing list 2 years, but has anyone gotten a council house.
how long were you waiting?
i have 1 child.
and when you get the house, is it like affordable housing? i mean is it yours to do what you want ex:building etc. so you only get it if you are a single parent?
please all the info would help thanks
i am in dublin

My friend had 4 children, two of them with disabilities and was offered a house in a nearby town here in Mayo after a year on the housing list. She would have preferred this town but was told that here there was no new building planned, and most existing houses only become available if someone moves away, or someone dies. Places in the queue are determined by points, and if someone with a greater need joins the list, they will be dealt with before you.

From http://www.mayococo.ie/en/Services/Housing/LAHousing/

In assessing your application, the local authority will take into account such factors as household size, household income, your present accommodation (if any), the condition of that accommodation and any special circumstances including age, disability, medical circumstances etc.

If you have been a tenant of a local authority house for at least one year you may apply to the local authority to purchase it at a discounted price.

From http://www.oneparent.ie/facts/34

In 2005 there were 240 one parent families on the housing list in Co. Mayo.
Lone parents made up 31% of the total households on the waiting list.