Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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291. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the Government has plans to re-evaluate the way in which local authority housing tenant’s rent rates are calculated (details supplied); his plans to reduce rates for tenants over 66 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52702/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.

Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding how the incomes of those on pensions are treated for rent assessment purposes are matters for individual local authorities.

Housing for All commits to developing proposals for a standardised national differential rents scheme across the country. The timing of this work is being considered as part of the current review of Housing for All and having regard to the significant changes in the economic environment over the past year.