Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
490. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if rent supplement payments are a reckonable income when assessing eligibility for social housing supports given that no published guidelines give a definitive answer. [29179/22]
View answerApplications 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.
Under the Household Means Policy, which was revised in March 2021, 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 disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
Rent Supplement is a short-term housing payment, for eligible people living in private rented accommodation, which would be discontinued where an applicant receives long-term social housing support. Accordingly, local authorities may disregard rent supplement when assessing a social housing application.
