Local Authorities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Questions (338)

Paul Murphy

Question:

338. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 22 March 2022, if his Department has clarified the matter regarding the refusal by South Dublin County Council of applicants for social housing support on the basis of savings or capital; if local authorities are free to create their own policies regarding the assessment of means in this manner; and his views on whether it is appropriate or correct for a local authority to assess capital or savings, including inheritance, pension lump sums and redundancy payments when considering an application for social housing support. [17961/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Decisions on eligibility for social housing support are a matter solely for local authorities with reference to eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.

The 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. My Department issued a guidance note to assist local authorities when applying the Household Means Policy.

More recently, my Department has also advised South Dublin County Council that the guidance provides that savings are relevant to the income assessment only in so far as they generate an income for applicants, by way of dividend or interest. Households may re-apply for social housing support at any stage subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria at the time they re-apply.