Written answers
Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Housing Policy
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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210. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will take the necessary steps to fully implement and fund the outstanding recommendations from the 2019 Joint Policy Statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7037/24]
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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211. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide a revised timeline for the implementation of the outstanding recommendations from the 2019 Joint Policy Statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7038/24]
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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212. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the housing allocation model in relation to the development of any future specific housing schemes for older people; if he will take steps to ensure that a partnership approach is adopted between the HSE and the relevant local authority to identify the most suitable residents for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7039/24]
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will work with other Departments and bodies to ensure that appropriate social and clinical supports programmes are put in place for older people within the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7040/24]
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will liaise with the appropriate Departments for the purpose of establishing a distinct unit operating both within and across both the Departments of Housing Local Government and Heritage and Health to better plan for the growing needs of an ageing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/24]
Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 213, inclusive, and 220 together.
Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population' policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people.
The actions include the development of a catalogue of housing options that provide a range of choices that meet the diverse needs of an ageing population, spanning owner occupier, private rental and social housing, whilst providing accessible care and the associated support needs. My Department, together with the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is successfully guiding and delivering age-friendly housing within this framework.
My Department established a new Business Unit in the latter part of 2021, namely, the Social Inclusion Unit, which includes having responsibility for housing policy for older people. This Unit liaises with key Departments such as the Department of Health, the Department with responsibility for social and clinic support programmes, in the development and delivery of housing policy for older people.
My Department continues to collaborate with the Department of Health on the implementation of relevant ongoing actions, together with engagement on advancing the most appropriate framework, under the strategic framework of Housing for All, to ensure the effective integration of health and housing policies at national and local level.
Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that eligibility for housing subsidies is based on available household income after deduction of essential household expenditure such as health expenses, energy and heating expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7041/24]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority in different bands according to the area concerned, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income threshold is the basic measure of whether a household is eligible for social housing support. The determination of whether an applicant meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of net income. Net income means income tax, universal social charge, additional superannuation contribution and PRSI are deducted from the relevant gross assessable income.
The Household Means Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
My Department keeps the Household Means Policy under regular review in order to ensure that it continues to be appropriate.
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