Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
138. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the income thresholds given that inflation and the cost of living has increased significantly over the past number of years. [45980/21]
View answer146. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to make the long-promised changes to the income levels for eligibility for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46469/21]
View answer151. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when income eligibility limits for social housing will be increased in counties Cavan and Monaghan given existing limits are low and unrealistic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46346/21]
View answer163. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been made to date in reviewing the income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area; and when the review is likely to conclude. [46417/21]
View answer178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to increase the income eligibility limits for social housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan as existing limits are much too low at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46330/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 146, 151, 163 and 178 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10% and separately a 2.5% allowance for each child.
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. It is important to note that the limits introduced in 2011 also reflected 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, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. As set out in "Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland", the efficiency of the banding model and its application to local authorities will be considered. Equivalisation as between singles and families will also be considered. The review will also have regard to new initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and Cost Rental housing and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
