Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Over the past 11 years, rents have gone up by 100% in the private sector, the price of houses has gone up by 45%, and the price of the average home has gone from €212,000 to €295,000. The income limits were set based on the average industrial wage, so these limits must go up to keep pace with that. My proposal is a straightforward one. I ask that we make a €5,000 increase on all bands, an increase for the adult dependant by the same 20% from 5% to 6% with a cap of 12%, and an increase for the child from 2.5% to 3%, which is the same increase. That is a relatively modest proposal. However, it ensures it should not be inflationary for rents. Furthermore, it ensures more people qualify for HAP.

The incremental purchase scheme requires people to be on a social housing payment for a period of ten years. That is either a council tenant or someone on the rental assistance scheme, RAS, or HAP. We have to have this integrated model such that people can go from being in rented accommodation to being able to purchase. However, they must get supports. For anyone on more than €30,000, the incremental purchase scheme is a 40% discount and I know that is changing, but that makes a huge difference. There is social housing and the incremental purchase scheme. The layer above that would be affordable housing and then there are people buying privately. One of the starting bases is that we get the social housing income limits correct, fair and in keeping with what has happened over the last 11 years.

When does the Minister of State expect the review will be published? Will he discuss these measures with the Minister?

Housing for All is a great document but we need an integrated model.

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