Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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389. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if local authorities assess social welfare incomes for social housing support applications on a gross or net basis; if a separate or modified assessment applies to applicants in receipt of taxable social welfare payments such as illness benefit or jobseeker's benefit; the method to which these taxable payments are calculated for income assessment purposes; the criteria used to differentiate them from non-taxable payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40881/26]

James Browne (Wexford, 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 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. The Policy is provided for under Regulation 17 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 and determines that net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. All income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits is assessable, and no separate assessment regime applies. The policy also allows for discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

The determination of whether an applicant household meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of their preceding 12 months’ net average income prior to the date of receipt of application.

More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/

My Department keeps the Household Means Policy under regular review in order to ensure that it continues to be appropriate.