Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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293. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider raising the income thresholds for joint applicants for the local authority home loan (details supplied); and if he will consider raising this given the variations in income levels and rising house prices. [2786/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Authority Home Loan was launched in January 2022. It is a Government backed mortgage for those who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It is available to first-time buyers and fresh start applicants to purchase a new or second-hand property, or to self-build.

The Local Authority Home Loan has a maximum annual gross income limit for single applicants of €65,000 in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and €50,000 in the rest of the country and a combined maximum of €75,000 for joint applicants for all counties.

My Department is currently reviewing these limits to ensure that the scheme remains relevant in the current housing market and will take this into consideration as part of that review.

Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and lending local authority.

The final decision on Local Authority Home Loan applications is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Further information can be found on the dedicated website: localauthorityhomeloan.ie/

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the increase in the number of applications for social housing support, such that local authorities are not able to access all applications within the 12-week deadline; if there are any other options for those applicants who may be in vulnerable and precarious housing situations to get support while they wait for their application to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2817/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Housing Assessment Regulations require local authorities, subject to certain conditions, to process applications within 12 weeks of receipt. However, different timeframes can apply where a local authority requires additional information from an applicant, with a potential extension to the 12-week deadline for completing the application and assessment process in such cases.

Generally, local authorities prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and ensure such applications are dealt with within timeframes significantly shorter than the statutory maximum.

Rent Supplement may be available for households in the private rented sector pending processing of applications by local authorities and the allocation of a dwellings to qualified households.

Moreover, any household assessed as homeless may be provided temporary emergency accommodation without having to undergo a social housing assessment. This provides local authorities with the flexibility essential to responding quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.