Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
431. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby people have been removed from local authority housing lists due to receiving a promotion at work and thereby going over the income threshold; if this acts as a disincentive to career progression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra432. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with local authorities to ensure that existing income thresholds and the lack of flexibility therein do not act as a disincentive to career progression for housing applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11508/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra433. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the fairness of a person losing 13 years in time accrued on a social housing list due to getting a pay increase that pushed them marginally over the income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11509/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos 431, 432 and 433 together.
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.
Social housing is a long-term support intended to support households that have continuing, long-term difficulty meeting their own accommodation needs. This is reflected in the underpinning legislation and the Household Means Policy which provides for applicants’ eligibility to be assessed on their net average income over the previous 12 months from the date of their application. It provides a truer picture of long-term need and is an objectively fairer approach than assessing such need against more recent changes in circumstances, including loss of employment or significant changes in income. This also ensures fairness and equity in the system and that those with a continuing long-term need are prioritised. Applications for social housing support can be submitted to a local authority for assessment at any time. Similarly, a person previously deemed not to qualify for support may reapply at any time.
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.
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. I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
Where someone has an income in excess of the social housing eligibility limits, Cost Rental housing may become an option. Cost Rental is a key tool in the Government's efforts to make rents more affordable and renting more secure. It is a new form of tenure in Ireland, established in 2021, where the tenant pays a rent which is set to cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the home. Cost Rental is targeted at people within the middle-income cohort, who do not qualify for social housing but who may be facing acute affordability pressures on the private rental market.
Eligibility for tenancies in Cost Rental homes is primarily determined by the net household income (less income tax, PRSI, USC, and pension contributions) of applicants, which is assessed at the point of application. In August 2023 the Government increased the net household income limits to €66,000 for Cost Rental homes in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These limits were introduced across the Cost Rental sector from 1 August 2023 by the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Eligibility) Regulations 2023.
In line with the commitment in the new Programme for Government, my Department is keeping the parameters for Cost Rental income eligibility limits under review, in order to ensure that the scheme effectively targets these homes at the intended tenant cohort.
