Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy in regard to the assessment by county councils of rent exemption for community employee workers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in many places county councils are charging extra rent in the first year of employment; if he proposes to take any action in regard to the position taken by Fingal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33738/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities are responsible, as part of their housing management functions, for the determination of rents of their dwellings taking into account certain principles laid down in departmental circular letters and which are set out in the reply to Questions Nos. 194 and 196 of 14 April 2005. While adhering to these principles, authorities have discretion as to the types of income to be taken into account in the assessment of rents and how to deal with hardship cases.

The general guidance from my Department in regard to increases in income due to participation in the community employment programme is that such increases should not attract increased rent.