Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
210. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the income thresholds for persons or families seeking to join the housing waiting list in County Donegal. [44463/22]
View answer230. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to increase the income limits for social housing in County Tipperary now that the income limits have been raised for counties Laois, Carlow, Clare, Galway and Westmeath. [44778/22]
View answer232. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the income eligibility limits for local authority housing in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan will be increased given that present limits are unrealistic and deny many low-income families the ability to apply for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44892/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210, 230 and 232 together.
Housing for All was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.
The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, has been completed and I have recently approved implementation of its recommendations.
To this end, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly and is expected to complete by the end of 2022.
Pending completion of this work later this year, I have also approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes will come into effect from 1 October 2022.
