Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 November 2022
87. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a list will be provided of all schemes and programmes under the remit of his Department for which a means test applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59659/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded in accordance with Standing Orders.
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Scheme or Programme |
Details |
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Cost Rental Scheme |
A household-based maximum net income limit of €53,000 has been prescribed by S.I. No. 755/2021 - Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Letting and Eligibility) Regulations 2021. Under these regulations, Cost Rental landlords must assess the income of prospective tenants and ensure that their combined net household income does not breach this threshold. |
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Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme |
A household-specific assessment of applicants’ financial capacity relative to the notional market price of an affordable dwelling, as per the Affordable Housing Regulations 2022 and the Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022. |
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First Home Scheme |
A household-specific assessment of applicants’ capacity to purchase a home priced within the relevant regional price ceiling and utilising a mortgage from a participating lender (without an exemption from the Central Bank’s Mortgage Measures), as per the conditions of the scheme which can be found in the brochure online at: https://www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/4nda0lnn/0827-first-homes-brochure_r14.pdf |
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Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with Disabilities Scheme |
The scheme is means tested and operates on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those who meet the conditions of the scheme, with the lowest incomes and vice versa. Grant assistance is not available to applicants whose household income, after disregards and deductions, exceeds €60,000 per annum. |
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Thatching Grant Scheme |
Where an applicant qualifies for a grant, an increased grant is available to owners of thatched houses who hold a valid medical card. |
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Shared Ownership/ Affordable Housing Subsidy Scheme |
These are legacy schemes which are no longer open to new applicants. A means test for eligibility was in place however is no longer relevant as the scheme is now stood down. Applicants who previously qualified for the schemes may continue to receive an annual subsidy ranging from €1,050 and €2,550 based on income bands of between €13,000 and €28,000 for the previous tax year. |
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Local Authority Home Loan |
To qualify, single applicants must have an annual gross income of not more than €65,000 in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and be earning under €50,000 (gross) in all other counties Joint applicants must have an annual gross income of not more than €75,000 in all counties |
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Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme |
Income Limits apply to gain access to social housing supports. The thresholds for the three bands are currently set at:- • €35,000 (Band 1), • €30,000 (Band 2) • €25,000 (Band 3). A €5,000 increase for all 3 bands is due from 1 January 2023. To avail of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme a minimum reckonable income of €12,500 applies |
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Local Authority Mortgage to Rent Scheme Mortgage to Rent Scheme |
Eligible applicants must qualify for social housing. |
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Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund Capital Advance Leasing Facility |
These loan facilities are available to help Approved Housing Bodies deliver homes to be made available for social housing support purposes. Eligible applicants for the homes must qualify for social housing. |
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Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Long-Term Leasing Short-Term Leasing Enhanced Leasing The Repair and Leasing Scheme Housing Assisstance Payments (HAP) |
These schemes are all forms of social housing delivery. In general, these properties are allocated to households deemed eligible for social housing support (and placed on the social housing waiting list) after assessment 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, as amended, and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. In the case of the HAP, any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP and may source their own accommodation in the private rental sector. |
