Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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386. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); if he will address the issues outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54759/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I am currently considering potential changes to the social housing income eligibility model.

In the meantime, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a new 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.

I have also recently approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - have moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income threshold for these areas has increased 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.