Local Authority Housing Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2015

Thursday, 28 May 2015

Questions (173)

Shane Ross

Question:

173. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a national policy instructing council housing authorities to take redress compensation payments into account as income in assessing means for social housing applicants; if it is at the discretion of local council authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21161/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Household Means Policy issued in March 2011 under Regulation 17 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 defines income for the purposes of determining an applicant’s compliance with the income eligibility criterion for social housing support and applies in all housing authorities. Under this criterion, the net income of an applicant household, as assessed in accordance with the Policy, cannot exceed the limits prescribed under the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. Net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, pension-related deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 and the universal social charge.

The Policy lists the sources of income that are assessable and non-assessable for determining a household’s compliance with the income eligibility criterion. While compensation payments are not specifically provided for under the Policy, housing authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.

My Department is currently reviewing the prescribed income limits and the Household Means Policy in the context of the review of social housing assessment procedures currently being undertaken as part of the broader social housing reform agenda outlined in the Social Housing Strategy 2020. This review will include an examination of the sources of income to be taken into consideration for assessment purposes, including payments received as compensation awards.