Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 18, 24, 30, 59, 61 and 71 together. I am aware that some of the Deputies are not here.

Housing For All was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing. The review, which examined inter aliathe efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, has been completed. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, recently approved implementation of its recommendations. This included the commissioning of work to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency, which has been tasked with commissioning it. It is expected that this work will be completed by the end of 2022.

Pending completion of this work later this year, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, also approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands, as mentioned by the Deputies. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway county, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from band 3 to band 2. Accordingly, the baseline for the income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in their respective bands. The changes will come into effect from 1 October 2022.

It is now appropriate to await the report I referred to before considering the appropriate income threshold levels for all counties and the potential impact of the changes that might arise. The November 2021 report has been published - I am aware some Deputies have read it - and is available on our Department's website. In a previous reply to a question by Deputy Naughten, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has given a commitment to looking at transitioning measures for families going over the threshold. The Minister is not happy with the report but he is looking to the review of the Housing Agency and to have that completed by the year end. We are conscious there is an absolute sense of urgency on this, as highlighted by the number of questions and the comments from the Deputies. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is committed to resolving this and looking at those transitioning measures for families who might be just marginally going over the threshold in some areas.

The research part of it is vital. We are not sure whether it is a banding or a blanket approach, as was mentioned by Deputy O'Donnell, but it is important we complete this piece of research before the year end.

See this speech in context