I propose to take Questions Nos. 680, 719, 769, 782 and 797 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 6 of 23 June 2022 which sets out the position in the matter in relation to income thresholds for social housing supports.
The Government recently approved an increase in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) discretion rate from 20% to 35% and extended the couple’s rate to single person households for new tenancies. Both measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.
The measures were taken on foot of research by the Housing Agency, on behalf of my Department, and considered the level of discretion required by Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support. They will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.