Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note the points the Deputy has made. I am satisfied that the current income limits generally provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. These limits generally provide that a household in receipt of social welfare will not breach the thresholds. That is illustrated by the fact that the Summary of Social Housing Assessments 2013 reported that of the 89,872 households on waiting lists nationally, 65,151, or 72%, were entirely dependent on social welfare. The comparable figure for County Clare is 78%. However, as I have indicated, the income thresholds will be examined as part of the review of social housing assessment procedures currently under way. This examination will look at the policy applied to determine the types of income that should be counted in the assessment and which should be disregarded.

In terms of particular anomalies in the current system that discriminate unfairly against certain classes of households, I would be happy to consider any general issues such as those of which the Deputy has made the House aware. I am precluded from becoming involved in any specific applications to a housing authority but I can assure the Deputy that we will examine anomalies in the overall review to see if we can address those and ensure, as I said at the outset, that the process is fair and efficient, and in the best interests of all the tenants who badly need this assistance.

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