-3 years since review secured as part of wider social housing reform plans-

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, says the government should expedite the review of income limits on social housing eligibility, rather than continuing to hide it in the broader social housing reform plans.

Deputy Smith commented, “I am very disappointed that the review into social housing income limits has not been concluded or published. It has been nearly three years since the government committed to these reviews.

“In the intervening years the housing crisis has only soared with people of all ages trapped into rising rents and home ownership being an unattainable ambition.

“I have consistently highlighted the cases of many applicants on low incomes, who were not deemed eligible, because they were over the income threshold and who at the same time had no chance whatsoever of obtaining a mortgage or a bank loan to purchase a home. 

“There is a critical need to improve income eligibility limits for social housing, particularly in counties such as Cavan and Monaghan where the local rental cost of housing accommodation has risen.

“The Minister for Housing should immediately see to the publication of the review.  His recent reply to me is unacceptable. It is time for the government to put meaningful income limits in place,” Deputy Smith concluded.

PQ 5017819 5017919 Brendan Smith