Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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826. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will revise current housing policies to ensure fairness for older individuals who have contributed to society throughout their lives, specifically, many retirees who only become eligible for placement on the housing waiting list once their income drops upon retirement, a situation which forces them to face unaffordable market rental rates and wait times of up to 10 years for social housing; if he will establish a dedicated mechanism that prioritises and expedites access to affordable and social housing for retirees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10838/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of dwellings to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. A local authority may disregard the order of priority given to a household under an allocation scheme in certain exceptional circumstances.

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, with income defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. It is open to anyone to apply for social housing support at any stage, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities may also disregard temporary, short-term or once-off income. Local authorities have no discretion to exceed the limits applying to their administrative areas.

Income is assessed based on an applicant's 12 months’ net average income immediately prior to application. This ensures the most comprehensive picture of a household’s current and previous income when the eligibility assessment is carried out. It also ensures fairness and equity in the system and that those with a continuing long-term need are prioritised. Households deemed ineligible for social housing may reapply and be reassessed for support at any stage.