Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have two final questions on the household definitions. Do the witnesses have a view on what the income threshold should be? We asked the Minister and he said it has not been decided yet, but I think they have a ballpark figure. Do the witnesses have a view?

How do we guard against a couple whose combined income might be above the threshold but whose separate incomes will be below the threshold if they present and apply as two singles? For example, let us say Deputy Gould and I are a happy couple in Knocknaheeny and our combined incomes do not get us into a two-bed unit. It is practical problem because the rents are going in the wrong direction, which is not the fault of the AHBs. These are real challenges. Do the witnesses have a view of where the income limit should be? Have they given any thought to the problem of Thomas and Eoin presenting as two singles rather than a couple?