Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government why the 15% of income cap for State pensioners has not been applied to the differential rent scheme operated by local authorities as part of the revision of rents; if such a cap should be applied to other sources of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43383/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Each housing authority is responsible, under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, for determining the rent for its dwellings, subject to complying with broad principles laid down by my Department. The primary principle set down is that the rent payable should be related to household income and that low-income households should pay a lower proportion of income in rent.

The current arrangements for determining local authority rents will be substantially replaced on the coming into force of Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.Section 31 provides for the introduction of a national differential rents framework that will harmonise local authority rent levels, while retaining some discretion for individual authorities to set rents in their own areas.

Detailed proposals for the implementation of Section 31 are currently being considered. In the context of those proposals the comparability of the standard minimum weekly rent payable for a local authority dwelling and the minimum weekly contribution that rent supplement beneficiaries are currently required to pay towards the rent of their accommodation is being considered.