Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023
406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a means-tested payment will be affected by the new rent-a-room relief scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21353/23]
View answerLast year, I announced a series of measures designed to remove barriers facing social welfare customers who choose to accommodate people in their own homes.
In July 2022 I signed legislation, which introduced a disregard of up to €269.23 per week in respect of income from renting a room in their own home. This disregard means that a social welfare customer will be able to rent out a room in their home for up to €14,000 per annum and this income will not see their means-tested primary social welfare payment impacted.
I introduced this regulation with the aim of removing any means disincentive for people letting out a room in their home for fear that it would impact their social welfare payment and I am pleased that Government has recently approved the extension of this disregard for a further two years until March 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter for Deputy.
