Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
636. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the sources of, and definition of, reckonable income for the purposes of local authorities' assessment of applications under the tenant incremental purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14283/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority houses which are available for sale under the scheme. All applications for the Scheme must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015.
Changes to the scheme took effect from 29 January 2024 with the introduction of the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 which came into effect from 29 January 2024. These Regulations and subsequent Ministerial Directions to local authorities, include the criteria relating to minimum primary reckonable income. Specifically, to be eligible, applicants must meet certain criteria, including minimum primary reckonable income of €11,000.
In determining a tenant’s minimum annual reckonable income, local authorities can include income from employment, self-employment, private pensions, and the contributory and non-contributory State pensions. In addition, from the above date, the Widow's, Widower's, Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory), Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, and Disability Allowance, are considered to be primary reckonable income for the purposes of determining eligibility for the Scheme.
Furthermore, certain social protection payments can also be considered reckonable, where the social protection payment is secondary to income from employment, pension, or social protection payments referred to above.
The minimum annual reckonable income requirement has a dual purpose. It ensures the scheme is sustainable and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period. While eligibility for the scheme is determined by the local authorities on examination of an application, it should be noted that my Department has issued detailed written guidance to all local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme.
