Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is widespread concern about the low income thresholds now required to be accepted on council housing waiting lists. These thresholds, as the Tánaiste knows, have not moved in several years and are, therefore, lowering in real terms because they are not linked to inflation. The threshold for a single person can be as low as €25,000, rising to a maximum of €35,000. The Government has repeatedly announced a review of the income eligibility criteria. Does the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government accept there are many working people who cannot dream of getting a loan and buying a house but do not qualify under these thresholds? That is particularly true in the band 3 counties. When will we see the review coming to its conclusion and the revised income thresholds announced?

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