Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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514. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the longest waiting time on the social housing waiting list for one, two, and three bed dwellings for local authorities nationwide, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65281/25]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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515. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the longest waiting time on the social housing waiting list for one, two, and three bed dwellings in the four Dublin local authorities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65282/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).

The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2024, is available on my Department's website, along with all summaries since 2011 at

Details on the length of time spent on the respective lists of each local authority are included in tables 2.8 and A1.8 in the report. It does not provide a breakdown of the number of years beyond the category of more than 7 years. Data regarding the number of housing applicants requesting particular sized accommodation is not held by my Department. However, tables 2.4 and A1.4 of the report provide details on household size.

The SSHA 2025 process is currently underway and I expect to publish the summary report before the end of Q1 2026.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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516. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the supports which will be allocated for persons on lists for social local authority housing, whose income places them in danger of imminently disqualifying for public housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65517/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The baseline income thresholds increased by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.

My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.

Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025 – 2030. The Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent.

Government is investing an unprecedented level of funding to support housing supply, which will underpin, inter alia, the new Starter Homes Programme, delivering an average of 15,000 affordable housing supports annually to 2030.

In addition to a keen focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, the plan provides for an expanded remit for the Land Development Agency, work to further extend the First Home and Help to Buy Schemes to 2030, an increase in affordable tenancies and an expanded local authority delivered starter homes for purchase programme.

With a strong focus on deliverability, the Plan will enable housing delivery partners to accelerate the supply of new starter home supports, providing thousands of individuals and families with increased access to secure and affordable housing solutions nationwide.

To note, eligibility criteria for affordable schemes differ from scheme to scheme with many not subject to any minimum income limits. Details on the schemes discussed below can be found at the following link: .

Other measures such as the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable. These measures are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants. These supports are regularly reviewed by my Department. None of these additional measures have income limits.