Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Richard Bruton

Question:

433 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in setting income thresholds for assessing eligibility for housing schemes, the Department of the Environment and Local Government is continuing to apply a 12 month income guideline for eligibility and allowing applicants qualify either on their income in calendar year 2001 or the 38 week tax year April to December 2001 grossed up to a full year; and if he will apply a similar system for higher education grants. [30981/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department understands that, in relation to the short transitional tax year, the Department of the Environment and Local Government has indicated that in assessing appli cations for local authority housing the income for eligibility purposes will be the amount of income in the period 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 or the nine month period 6 April, 2001 to 31 December 2001 annualised, whichever is the lesser.

For the purpose of my Department's student support schemes for the 2002/2003 academic year, reckonable income will be based on the short transitional tax year running from 6 April 2001 to 31 December 2001. The reckonable income thresholds, which will apply, will be adjusted downward from their full year value to take account of the short tax year. Income threshold details for both the full year value and the adjusted value, to apply in respect of 2002 only, will issue when the 2002 schemes are finalised.