Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of PRSI contributions that are required for eligibility for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9105/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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To qualify for social housing support a household must meet all of the eligibility criteria, which primarily relate to income, availability of alternative accommodation, and previous rent arrears.

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 the maximum net income permissible 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. The Policy defines net income as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy also provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to disregard temporary, short-term or once-off income.