Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will raise the income limits for applicants to qualify to get onto the social housing lists, particularly in County Donegal, in recognition that applicants above the limits cannot secure finance to provide for their own housing needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28764/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 introduced a new standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing in every housing authority. The aim of the new system is to move closer to a transparent, consistent and fairer approach to eligibility for social housing. The Regulations include maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced by this Government prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. Most payments received from the Department of Social Protection are assessable. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off.

As a result, the threshold for a two adult/two children household in Co. Donegal is €27,500 net income after tax, PRSI and USC, with higher limits applying to larger households.

I am satisfied that the current income limits generally provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. However, these limits will be considered in the context of the review of social housing assessment procedures currently being undertaken by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda outlined in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.