Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Cost Rental is a form of rental tenure designed to assist a cohort of renters who face significant affordability challenges meeting high rents in the private sector and who are not eligible for social housing support. The core principle of Cost Rental is that the rents cover the development, management, and maintenance costs of the homes, so that the long-term future of the homes is financially secure, but that rents are not subject to the pressures of the open market. Unlike market-driven rents, Cost Rental prices only increase in line with consumer inflation, providing stability while meeting ongoing expenses. Additionally, Cost Rental homes offer long-term, secure tenancies regulated by the Affordable Housing Act 2021.

The primary eligibility condition for accessing Cost Rental housing is a maximum net annual household income (less income tax, PRSI, USC, and superannuation contributions). This was originally set, for the whole country, in December 2021 at €53,000, these limits were adjusted to €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere in August 2023, acknowledging changing economic circumstances.

Since rents must cover costs, a Cost Rental landlord must be confident that a prospective tenant can afford to pay the rent every month over the long term. Therefore, under the current legislation, a Cost Rental landlord has final discretion on whether to enter into a tenancy agreement with any particular applicant.

Regarding social housing, income thresholds were increased by €5,000 for all local authorities from January 1, 2023, based on a 2022 review conducted by my Department. The new thresholds are €40,000, €35,000, and €30,000 for bands 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Notwithstanding these changes, my Department is awaiting detailed research examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since it was introduced. This has been commissioned by the Housing Agency and I understand this work is near completion. When it is available, my Department will undertake a detailed examination of the report, including consultation with stakeholders. This will facilitate the preparation of options for my consideration later this year as set out in the Housing for All Action Plan update.

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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236. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of Croí Cónaithe grants that have been approved, by county, in tabular form. [7215/24]

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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237. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of Croí Cónaithe grants that have been paid by the local authority, by county, in tabular form. [7216/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.

Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4bbe4-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-statistics/