Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons who are already on local authority housing lists will not be removed from the list and new rules relating to eligibility will apply to new applicants only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22606/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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A new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing was introduced in every housing authority on 1 April 2011. The new assessment system includes a requirement that applicants only need to apply to one housing authority to be placed on up to three waiting lists, provides for the use of a standard application form and sets maximum net income limits based on the cost of housing in the area in question. The ultimate aim of the new system is to create a fairer, more consistent and transparent approach to eligibility for social housing support. The criteria for determining housing need are set out in the regulations and are broadly similar to what was provided for in earlier legislation.

As was the case under the old system, housing authorities may review the eligibility for local authority housing of households on the waiting list at any time and are required to review eligibility prior to the allocation of accommodation. In this connection, my Department has advised authorities that, where household income is fluctuating over time, it may be advisable to take this into account when undertaking an assessment review and not necessarily take a household off the waiting list unless there is reason to believe that the personal circumstances of the applicant have so changed that it is unlikely that they will qualify for social housing support at the allocation stage i.e. they are consistently over the income threshold.

I will keep all aspects the new assessment system under review to ensure that it functions in the intended manner. Since the Regulations were originally made, I have already made an amendment to increase the maximum income thresholds originally set by €5,000 in each band, with the intention of broadening the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, in order better to promote sustainable communities.