Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason illness benefit is classed as a temporary payment for the purposes of social housing assessment. [42463/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy which is available at the following link .

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. With the exception of specific payments as outlined in the Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, is assessable. However, local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.