Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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265. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of his Department's review of the HAP limits; his plans with respect to these limits; and if he plans to publish his Department's review. [10565/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. Maximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection. Local authorities also have the flexibility to agree to a HAP payment of up to 20% above the maximum rent limit, because of local rental market conditions and up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of, homelessness.

Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.

The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of my Department. The review was submitted on 20 December 2021. It is undergoing analysis by my Department and I expect to receive recommendations following that analysis.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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266. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the review by the Housing Agency of the social housing income eligibility thresholds; his plans with respect to these limits; and if he plans to publish the review. [10566/22]

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. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.

I will publish the review thereafter.