Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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304. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason that the income threshold for social housing was increased in only five of 31 local authority areas; if he will outline the premise for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52949/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I have recently approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by end Q4 2022.

Pending completion of this work, I have approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect from 1 October 2022.

I am currently considering further potential changes.