Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
156. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the terms of the tenant purchase scheme to include individuals on carer's allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15853/23]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority homes available for sale under the scheme. To be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including minimum annual reckonable income.
In determining a tenant’s minimum annual reckonable income, local authorities can include incomes from employment, private pensions, the contributory and non-contributory State pensions and certain social protection payments, where the social protection payment is secondary to income from employment or a pension. However, other social protection payments including Carer's Allowance, which are considered shorter term in nature, are not considered when determining an applicant's annual reckonable income.
That said, the scheme qualifying criteria, including minimum reckonable income requirements, are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
