I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 67 together.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009, provides for a new process of housing needs assessment for applicants for social housing support and empowers the Minister to make regulations setting out the criteria for determining the eligibility for such support. These criteria include, but are not limited to, income levels and the availability of alternative accommodation. In addition, to be eligible for social housing support a person must have a long-term right to reside in the State, a matter within the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
On 1 April this year, the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, containing national eligibility criteria, including maximum income limits, came into effect. These mandatory criteria must be applied by all housing authorities in assessing a household's eligibility for social housing support. Moving to a more standardised and objective set of eligibility criteria is designed to bring greater consistency, equity and transparency to the assessment process.
The Social Housing Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, made on 29 March 2011, amended the original regulations and provided for a general increase of €5,000 in the income bands. These income bands refer to the net income of households, that is net of income tax, PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. The new increased maximum limits are €35,000, €30,000 and €25,000 for a single-person household, depending on the local authority area concerned. The new income limits will increase the number of households eligible for social housing support.