Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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436. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) was removed from a housing list. [9124/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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A household’s qualification for social housing support may be reviewed at any time at the discretion of a local authority, as part of the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) or where the local authority becomes aware of changes in the household's circumstances. It will also be assessed at the point of allocating support. Households deemed to exceed the prescribed limits will be removed from the housing list.

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 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.

Under the Policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, and occupational and social welfare pensions is assessable.

My Department is currently in the process of examining the Household Means Policy in order to ensure it continues to be appropriate.