Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for tabling this matter. I also thank her council colleagues for putting forward such a timely motion, which is very important to ensure that people have access to secure housing.

A standard system for assessing applicants for social housing support was introduced in 2011. The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. Housing for All was published in September 2021 and contained a commitment to reviewing income eligibility for social housing. The review has been completed and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has recently approved implementation of its recommendations. The review is now available on the Department’s website.

On foot of the review, the Minister has approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. The exercise will assess the suitability of the current framework, having regard to the significantly changed landscape since it was introduced, and will make recommendations for an approach and income thresholds for Mayo and all other counties that reflect current and future needs. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency, which will be tasked with commissioning it. It is expected that the work will be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

Pending its completion, the Minister has also approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands for five local authorities, namely, Carlow, Clare, Galway county, Laois and Westmeath. These counties have been moved from band 3 to band 2 of the income eligibility framework. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas has increased from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the significant movement in rents in these areas in recent years and ensures local authority areas with similar accommodation costs will continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect on 1 October last. The Minister believes it is now appropriate to await completion of the substantive review before deciding on the revised income threshold levels for Mayo and other counties, given the potential impact of any changes that will arise.