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Local Authority Housing Rents

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2018

Tuesday, 10 July 2018

Questions (925)

Seamus Healy

Question:

925. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the section of the Local Government Act 2014 that makes the making of a differential rent scheme a reserved function of elected local authority members will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30309/18]

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Written answers

At present the making of rent schemes and the setting of rent levels is a matter for each local authority under the provisions of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such schemes is not a reserved function and does not require the approval of the elected members; however, it is subject to the influence of the elected members through the annual estimates process. The Chief Executive of the authority makes the (non-statutory) rent scheme subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 dated March 6th 2002.  

I assume the Deputy is referring to Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 which is not yet commenced. Section 31(7) of the Act provides that the making and revocation of a rent scheme are reserved functions. Section 31(8) provides that the charging of rents or other charges in accordance with a rent scheme are executive functions. 

Considerable work has been carried out by my Department in developing a draft national differential rents framework under section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Such a framework had as its main aim the facilitation of a significant harmonisation in local authority rents, including a set of standardised income disregards, whilst retaining the general principle of rents related to household income.

The introduction of a rent framework could mean that the amount of rent payable by some households may be subject to change. This work is now being examined further in the light of the broader commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, to review the disparate systems of differential rent for social housing in place across local authorities. The overall objective is to ensure that housing supports are fair and sustainable, prioritise those on lowest incomes and avoid creating social welfare traps that may prevent people from either returning to work or to the private housing market.

I expect that the review will be completed in the near future.

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