Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 June 2012
156 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of capital a person is allowed to possess in order to qualify for social housing under his Department guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31285/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 dealing with social housing support was commenced on 1 April 2011 and the related Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011 were made. A new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing was introduced in every housing authority. The Regulations contain, among other eligibility criteria, maximum income limits, which were subsequently amended upwards by the Social Housing Assessment (Amendment) Regulations 2011. The income bands contained therein refer to the net income of households that is net of income tax, PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. The Regulations do not provide for the assessment of capital, although ownership of alternative accommodation is taken into account in making decisions on eligibility for social housing support.
