Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of affordable mortgage applications approved in 2010 by county; the average amount of the loan granted; if it is intended to modify this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The majority of households purchasing affordable housing obtain loan finance from private financial institutions. Prospective purchasers under these schemes, or under the tenant purchase scheme, who have been unable to access credit elsewhere, can apply to the relevant local authority for a standard annuity loan.

While my Department has collected information on the number of these loans drawn down by local authority area each year since 1994, data in respect of 2010 are not yet available. My Department does not collect information on the amounts drawn down.

All local authority mortgage lending operates under the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009 and associated credit policy. These set out a maximum loan limit of €220,000 and a maximum term of 30 years.

I believe that the current regime is a fair scheme that adequately meets the needs of prospective borrowers, while also protecting the financial position of local authorities by adhering to prudent lending practices.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a review of the current income thresholds in respect of applicants for social housing. [11516/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the current criteria set down for social housing applications. [11505/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 67 together.

The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009, provides for a new process of housing needs assessment for applicants for social housing support and empowers the Minister to make regulations setting out the criteria for determining the eligibility for such support. These criteria include, but are not limited to, income levels and the availability of alternative accommodation. In addition, to be eligible for social housing support a person must have a long-term right to reside in the State, a matter within the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality.

On 1 April this year, the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011, containing national eligibility criteria, including maximum income limits, came into effect. These mandatory criteria must be applied by all housing authorities in assessing a household's eligibility for social housing support. Moving to a more standardised and objective set of eligibility criteria is designed to bring greater consistency, equity and transparency to the assessment process.

The Social Housing Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, made on 29 March 2011, amended the original regulations and provided for a general increase of €5,000 in the income bands. These income bands refer to the net income of households, that is net of income tax, PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. The new increased maximum limits are €35,000, €30,000 and €25,000 for a single-person household, depending on the local authority area concerned. The new income limits will increase the number of households eligible for social housing support.