Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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368. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current position regarding the household means policy review; if open consultation will be allowed as part of the review in order to receive submissions from the public, civil society and housing campaign groups; the estimated timeframe for when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12521/21]

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.

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. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of the Household Means Policy has been undertaken by officials in my Department. No formal public consultation process is envisaged. I would expect to be in a position to make a decision on proposed amendments to the Policy in due course.