Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
283. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the social housing income thresholds will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53169/25]
View answer284. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the income eligibility thresholds for social housing have been increased nationally in the past 15 years; the years in which those increases occurred; the increased that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53170/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
A standard procedure for assessing applicants for social housing was introduced in every local authority on 1 April 2011, through the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribed maximum net income limits for eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. Upon introduction of the 2011 Regulations, the maximum income limits per individual (main applicant) was set in three bands at €35,000, €30,000 and €25,000.
Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds 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.
The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included 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 the standardised income limits were introduced.
My Department's examination of the report is ongoing. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.
