Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to immediately raise the income limits for social housing to ensure that those who cannot afford cost rental or private rented are not denied eligibility for social housing. [65845/25]
View answer81. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals being considered by his Department to increase the income threshold for applicants looking to access social housing through their local authority; the last date such an increase was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65663/25]
View answer113. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review and increase the social housing income limits for counties such as Tipperary, which currently stands at €30,000 per annum, given that the national minimum wage is set to rise to €14.15 per hour from 1 January 2026, bringing annual earnings for a 40-hour week to approximately €29,432, considering the fact that this leaves minimum-wage workers on the verge of exceeding the social housing income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62010/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 81 and 113 together.
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. This €5,000 increase broadened the eligibility base, increasing the number of households eligible for support and lessening the impact on disadvantaged and vulnerable households of the significant increase in the cost of accommodation and cost of living generally in recent years.
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.
