Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to increase the income levels to qualify for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8944/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, prescribe maximum net income limits for eligibility for social housing support for each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy, published by my Department.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band are based on an assessment of the 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 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.

As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing support has commenced and will be finalised later this year.