Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
424. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give urgent consideration to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55549/22]
View answerI am currently considering potential changes to the social housing income eligibility model.
In the meantime, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a new model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by end Q4 2022.
I have also recently approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - have moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income threshold for these areas has increased 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 came into effect from 1 October 2022.
I currently have no plans to make any changes to the Household Means Policy 2021 vis-à-vis disregarding the working family payment. To do so would be inconsistent with the treatment of other social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, which are assessable for income eligibility purposes.
