John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right in the sense of the need for a review of the income thresholds, which is now happening. I do not accept that the full 26% reduction in the social housing waiting lists is as a result of people's incomes going over the existing thresholds but that review is starting to get in train. It did not happen for a decade because there was a decade when incomes were fairly flat but they are starting to rise, and the Deputy was right to point out that aspect.

I do not like to comment on individual cases but the Jonathan Corrie case was horrific. Many agencies, including the Government, have a responsibility. I emphasise to the Deputy, even though he knows this, that in this particular case and in many others, the part of my reply that referred to the other supports people need to exit homelessness is crucial. Homelessness is caused certainly by economic factors but there are other factors that contribute. We will be proceeding with a review of thresholds. It is timely at this stage but that does not account for the full 26% reduction in the number on the social housing waiting lists.

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