Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 774: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the situation in relation to a voluntary housing association to assess family income supplement for the purposes of assessable income for rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17998/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Approved housing bodies (AHBs) are responsible for the proper management and maintenance of their dwellings which have been financed under my Department's capital funding schemes. AHBs are also responsible for the operation of letting policies, the fixing of rents and compliance with all relevant statutory requirements.

Under the terms of the Capital Assistance Scheme, AHBs are to fix rents at levels which are reasonable having regard to tenants' incomes and the outlay by the approved housing body on the accommodation including the ongoing costs of management and maintenance.

Under the terms of the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme, rents payable are calculated with reference to household and subsidiary income in the previous tax year. Household income is defined to this end as the total income of the tenant and his / her spouse or of joint tenants as the case may be. Where this would result in hardship arising from a fall in income due to loss of employment, disability etc, the rent may be adjusted accordingly.