Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2017
107. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the basis on which the qualifying income thresholds for local authorities are set; when these were last set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to exclude family income supplement from assessment of income in eligibility limits for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 114 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable, including Family Income Supplement.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. I am satisfied that the current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this and that they provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These income limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
