John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, for taking this Commencement matter. I congratulate him on his role. I have not to date had the opportunity to do so in the House, which says much about our curtailed schedule.

I will not take my full time. This straightforward issue has been brought to my attention and warrants a second look by the Department. I am referring to the new household means assessment policy for local authority housing which was circulated to councils throughout the country and came into force last month. Section 4 of the new household means policy relates to deductions made. While it says tax, USC, PRSI and so on are deducted, no deductions are allowable for the likes of rent or travel expenses, which is consistent with the previous 2011 policy. However, the new policy specifically states there should be no deduction from assessable income for maintenance paid by an applicant or joint applicant. This seems fundamentally unfair. If we are honest about it, it will predominantly affect males who have children with a former partner and who are making maintenance payments. While it is appropriate that maintenance be paid, that these payments are not being deducted from assessable income is a fundamental flaw in the household means policy, especially when one considers that maintenance payments received are counted as income for the purposes of consideration for inclusion on the social housing list under the exact same policy.

I will provide a real example of how this policy is having an impact on those who are close to the income threshold for social housing. I am dealing with the case of a male constituent who applied to Waterford City and County Council for inclusion on its social housing list following the break-up of his relationship with his child's mother. Prior to the introduction of the new household means policy, this gentleman could have been below the threshold of €30,750 for an adult and a child when his maintenance payments were taken into account. Now that his maintenance payments are not deducted from his income, he is adjudged to be over the income threshold for social housing and, therefore, he does not qualify to go on the list, which has the impact of him not qualifying to receive the housing assistance payment.

This policy will continue to have an impact on males predominantly but not solely. It does not make sense that maintenance payments received are counted as assessable income whereas maintenance payments paid out are not deducted from assessable income. This policy needs to be reviewed and maintenance payments should be considered as deductibles. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State raised this matter with the line Minister and reverted to me, if possible.