Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2018
638. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to raise the threshold for social housing supports in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13966/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra640. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to remove the working family payment from the means assessed for social housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13968/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 638 and 640 together.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local 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 local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable, including Family Income Supplement. The policy provides for a range of income that can be disregarded in terms of housing assessment and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has commenced and I expect the results of this review to be available for publication later this year.
