James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problems associated with the differential rent scheme operated by some councils and their concerns that local authority tenants are availing of cheaper rents in the private sector; when he will revise this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1469/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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It is a matter for each household to decide the form of housing that best meets its housing need at an affordable price. The current arrangements for determining local authority rents will be substantially replaced on the coming into force over the next year of provisions of Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Household income will continue to be a major factor in determining rents. The amount of rent will be set by the Manager in accordance with a rent scheme made by the elected members of the housing authority. Each rent scheme will have to comply with regulations that I will make, in relation to matters such as the level, type and sources of household income that may be assessed for rent purposes, and rent reviews, but will also reflect a degree of local discretion in the criteria for setting rents.