114. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all local authorities are working off a national differential rent scheme; if not, the different schemes being operated currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47583/26]

118. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he considers council rents to be too low at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48201/26]

119. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the interaction his Department has had on the increase in rents for social housing tenants by South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46878/26]

192. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what he considers to be an affordable level of rents for council and HAP tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48200/26]

202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 has never been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48198/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 118, 119, 192 and 202 together.

Currently, local authorities charge rent under the 1966 Housing Act, this is known as the 'differential rent' system and is a critical piece of the State's welfare apparatus, subsidising housing costs and supporting households who can not meet their long term accommodation needs from their own resources.

The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for the executive of 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 and also that they contain a hardship clause, under which tenants can pay a reduced rent for a specified period and under certain circumstances. These good practice principles also include periodic reviews of a tenant's rent to reflect current household income and circumstances. Local authorities should also review their schemes regularly to ensure their scheme is equitable and appropriate to household means.

The new Housing Plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities, commits to reviewing rents paid by local authority and AHB social housing tenants with a view to introducing a national framework that provides a consistent and equitable system of rents and protects vulnerable households.

My Department is progressing, with the assistance of the Housing Agency, detailed analysis of existing rents schemes in order to explore the range of reform options that may be available. It is essential that any potential options place sufficient emphasis on achieving the best blend of equity, progressivity and sustainability, and critically, protect those on lowest incomes and at greater risk of poverty.

I will give careful consideration to the results of my Department's analysis which I expect will be submitted for our consideration later this year. Any proposal to implement a standardised national rents framework or alternative reform will be considered by Government thereafter, as appropriate.