Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to review the income threshold to qualify for social housing following Budget 2023 and the slight increase that some cohorts have received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the report on income eligibility for social housing that was completed in December 2021; and when the recommendations from that report will be implemented. [50155/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 337 together.
The review on social housing income thresholds is now available at the link below on my Departments website:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c49a0-review-of-income-eligibility-for-social-housing-support/
I have recently approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by the end of 2022. Pending completion of this work, I have approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect from 1 October 2022. It is now appropriate to await the report I referred to previously before considering the appropriate income threshold levels for all counties, and the potential impact of any changes that might arise.
In relation to Budget 2023, it should be noted that a number of the changes announced in the Budget come into effect in 2023, while others such as once-off financial payments may be disregarded as part of the income assessment for social housing eligibility.
