Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
516. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/campaigns/doors-open/.
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.
