Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2018
605. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a decision to remove a family from the housing list due to temporarily exceeding the income thresholds is open to appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8276/18]
View answerLocal authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions. The assessment of applicants and the provision of social housing support is entirely a matter for the local authority concerned in accordance with its allocation scheme. Management of the lists of qualified households awaiting accommodation, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant housing authority in accordance with Sections 20 and 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Assessment and Allocation Regulations, respectively.
For the purpose of assessing households under the income eligibility criteria, the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (as amended) prescribe the maximum net income limits that can be set for each housing authority to be applied in assessing an applicant’s eligibility for social housing support.
Income is assessed under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities. Under the policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard household means policy. The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
I understand that many local authorities have internal complaints and appeals systems which may be used to appeal cases. However, the 2011 Regulations do not provide housing authorities with any discretion to exceed the thresholds that apply to their administrative areas.
