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

I have raised this issue on a number of occasions, including last February. It is about the social housing income limit. I read the report and the initial review of income limits for social housing. I have a couple of comments. Only seven local authorities nationally have less than 35% of disposable incomes going to rent. That is the benchmark. Between 2011 and the first quarter of last year, Limerick city had the highest rate of increase in rents, at 89.5%. When I looked through the table about the increase in the standardised average, the Minister of State has increased it from band 3 to band 2 in five counties. However, in Limerick city, there has been a 42% increase in disposable income, or 40% for one adult, two children and a couple. I put forward a simple model, which has been done for five local authorities. We would increase the bands. The Government increased them by €5,000 in 2011. I want a blanket increase of €5,000 on all bands and 20% generally.

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