Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I suppose it is always the difficulty with any kind of system that involves a means test or threshold. If we do not give social housing to everyone, which, of course, is not possible, we have to set some sort of income limit and set of rules.

There will be always someone who is €1 or €10 above the threshold regardless of where it is set.

The income limits are being reviewed. They have not been increased for a long time, yet the cost of housing has increased dramatically. I anticipate that we will have to raise the limits. We should raise them to take account of the rising cost of housing.

I take the Deputy's point. It is perverse that people would turn down employment or pay increases or not work extra hours because of the fear of losing their places on the housing list or their medical cards. Unfortunately, though, that is the reality for many people. This is why we are reviewing those limits.

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