Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
140. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the outcome of the review on income eligibility for social housing under the Housing for All plan will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12100/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to publish and act upon the review completed in November 2021 into the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities regarding housing supports. [11294/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address the urgent need to reassess the income limits for social housing support on the grounds of persons being unable to qualify for the housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10095/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made to increase the income limits for eligibility for local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11779/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review into income thresholds for social housing eligibility will be published. [11273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for increasing the social housing income eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11576/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the eligibility thresholds for social housing. [12048/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will improve without further delay the income eligibility limits for social housing for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12062/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 160, 169, 170, 185, 187, 192 and 195 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (as amended).
If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.
The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.
The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in Q4 2021. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.
I will publish the review thereafter.
