We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Housing Commission recommendations

Summary

Duncan Smith called for a full debate on the Housing Commission report and highlighted the need to raise income limits for social housing and cost rental schemes. The Taoiseach agreed to a debate, acknowledged the poverty-trap risk, and said the Minister would update him.

We will need to debate the Housing Commission report. It is a big document but we will need to do that very soon. There is stuff that can be done quickly, which needs to be done and which would, I am sure, have agreement on all sides of the House. I am referring to recommendation 52.5.b on the raising of income limits for access to social housing supports and the cost rental scheme.

The limits were reviewed a couple of years ago but they are out of date. In the last week, councillor Brendan Ryan and I have spoken to people who may not be able to take a job for fear that they will lose their place on the council list. If they did, they would not qualify for any other housing supports. This could be done quickly. I ask the Taoiseach to do so.

Comment on this
Simon Harris The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I thank Deputy Smith. I look forward to a full debate on the report of the Housing Commission. I appreciate the practical point the Deputy makes about things that could be done quickly. As he says, social housing support income levels and income levels for other schemes have been increased. We need to be alert to any kind of poverty traps where people trying to work find themselves falling outside the scheme. I will ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the Deputy with an update on his plans in this area.

Comment on this