Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to an application for sheltered housing by an association (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11363/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 682 of 17 November 2004. Following the receipt of the documentation from Donegal County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the voluntary housing scheme in its area, further clarification has been sought from the council and is awaited. When this is to hand the application will be further considered by my Department and the council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has approved or appraised income limits in respect of eligibility for housing loans under SDA or shared ownership and rehousing directly by the local authority; if any provision has been made in such income limits in respect of non-earning adult or child dependents or if such income limits are applicable regardless of family size and, if so, the way in which this is deemed to be in keeping with the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11364/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Over recent years, the Government has introduced a broad range of targeted measures to address equally diverse housing needs. Affordable housing measures seek to support low income households by providing access to housing at discounted prices while housing loans are provided for those who cannot access finance from private institutions. To ensure effective targeting of resources to support households most in need, income limits are applied. The income limits distinguish between single earning households and those with two incomes, but do not take account of family size. Importantly, local authorities take account, in assessing applicants for loans, of the household's ability to finance the loan based on their net household income.

Income eligibility limits for the shared ownership scheme, affordable housing scheme and local authority house purchase loans were increased last year. The limit is now set at €36,800 for a single income household and in the case of a two income household the income test requires that two and a half times the gross income of the principal earner plus once the gross income of the subsidiary earner does not exceed €92,000.

Lower income households who cannot afford to acquire a house in the private market or through an affordable housing scheme may seek social rented accommodation. There is no general income threshold set by my Department. Local authorities are responsible under the Housing Act 1988 for assessing housing needs in accordance with their scheme of letting priorities. In making this assessment, local authorities have regard, inter alia, to the income and family circumstances of the applicant. These arrangements operate to ensure that due account is taken of housing need and personal circumstances, and no constitutional issues arise.