Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the income eligibility limits for social housing in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2834/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.

The review, which examined inter alia the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, was completed in Q4, 2021. Following consideration of the review’s findings and recommendations, I intend to make a decision on proposed changes shortly.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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229. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when his Department will issue a circular to local authorities that have no affordable housing schemes in place which details the requirements for those applying to affordable housing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2841/22]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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230. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way local authorities such as Mayo County Council will implement important objectives of housing policy outlined with Housing for All to deliver an affordable housing scheme in towns such as Castlebar, Ballina and Westport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

The Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system, with an ambitious target of 300,000 homes over the next decade for social, affordable and cost rental, private rental and private ownership housing.

Measures to deliver this housing are supported by over €4 billion in funding annually, representing the highest ever level of Government investment in building social and affordable housing. 54,000 affordable homes interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.

The delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the schemes set out in the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 and the funding being made available, will be underpinned by local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Local authorities were asked to submit their Plans to me, to include social and affordable housing last month. This allows each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) and plan provision accordingly. It is possible for local authorities to undertake HNDA analysis at sub county level to determine whether there is a need for Government funded affordable housing schemes in specific towns/areas.

In relation to the scheme governing the affordable purchase of local authority provided or arranged affordable housing, it is intended that regulations regarding income eligibility in respect of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will be in place very shortly. A Circular will issue to local authorities regarding these regulations thereafter.