Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
299. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce an income disregard for someone in receipt of a means tested social welfare payment where they rent out a vacant room in their home, similar to the rent-a-room scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51012/22]
View answerIn May 2022, I announced a series of measures designed to remove barriers facing social welfare customers who choose to accommodate people in their homes.
The Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No. 10) (Income Disregard) Regulations 2022, S.I. No. 397 of 2022, were signed on 12th of July 2022.
In practice, this means that a social welfare customer will be able to rent out a room in their home to a person who is not an employee or an immediate family member, for up to just under €270 per week (equivalent of €14,000 over a year), and will not see their social welfare payment impacted, including the Fuel Allowance or Living Alone Allowance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
