Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
503. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether carer's allowance can be included as income in assessing the amount of HAP a person can receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32063/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Since 11 July 2022, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of discretion is warranted on a case-by-case basis and the level of discretion applied in each case. Local authorities are encouraged to focus the application of discretion on alleviating financial burden for HAP tenants wherever possible, particularly for those in difficult financial circumstances
In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP.
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.
Under the Household Means Policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
Carer's Allowance, full or half rate, and Carer's Benefit are not assessable as income under the Household Means Policy, and in all cases, shall be disregarded for the purposes of assessing income
Local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the sources of income, such as Carer's Allowance, included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes are matters solely for individual local authorities. I have no role in this regard.
