Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 October 2022
61. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will increase the social housing income threshold for housing applicants in Tipperary County Council given that the increase is long overdue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to adjust income limits for social housing assessment to adequately reflect the impacts of inflation and changes set out in Budget 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 72 together.
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.
