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

One of the actions under Housing for All involves reviewing the income eligibility for social housing. When will that be brought forward? I put a proposal to the Government and to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the basis that we have seen no increase in the income limits for nearly 11 years now. At the time, in April 2011, there was an increase of €5,000, which was based around and was very similar to the average industrial wage. The average industrial wage has gone up by about 20%. I have put a proposal that at a minimum, we should see an increase of €5,000 in all of the individual bands across the country. Such an increase - of 20% - would be in keeping with the increase in the average industrial wage.

Second, we should see a 20% increase for each additional household member from 5% to 6% with the cap going from 10% to 12%. For each child, we should see an increase from 2.5% to 3%. That would have very significant benefits for people on the housing list, as well as for the housing assistance payment scheme, the incremental tenant purchase scheme and the tenant purchase scheme. When will this happen and does the Taoiseach agree with my proposal?

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