1689. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is a common policy in the calculation of council rents across all local authorities; whether carer’s allowance is disregarded in any local authorities; if so, which ones; his views on whether there should be a common policy that it should be disregarded in all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56571/26]

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 how different household circumstances, such as households who avail of carers allowance, are considered for rent assessment purposes are matters solely for individual local authorities. I have no role in this regard.

'Delivering Homes, Building Communities', the national housing plan, 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.