Laois County Councillor Caroline Dwane-Stanley has hit out at a recent change that to exclude maintenance payments made by social housing applicants.
Anyone applying for social housing must declare their financial position but a person paying maintenance can’t have that payment considered.
A person’s income is taken into consideration but whereas previously the maintenance was deducted from their income, that is now no longer the case.
“It is a subtle change that is putting people at risk of homelessness,” said Cllr Dwane-Stanley at this week’s meeting of Laois County Council.
She says that there are numerous instances where not deducting the maintenance means applicants exceed the income threshold and can’t get on the housing list.
“Maintenance payments have to be taken into consideration,” she added, “and it is being hit
“It’s grossly unfair,” agreed Cllr John King. “This has to be resolved.”
“It’s a sneaky way of doing business,” added Cllr Ollie Clooney.
“People who find themselves in that situation are under financial pressure,” said Cllr Willie Aird. “It’s not fair and it’s wrong,” added Cllr Ben Brennan.
“You’d think this was an order from Brussells but it’s our own government doing this. It’s a disgrace,” said Cllr Paddy Bracken.
Cllr Padraig Fleming said that not only was it an unfair situation, it was also now creating a situation where “two people are being penalised”.
Giving the example of a €100 maintenance payment, the person receiving a payment are having it included in their application, also taking them over the threshold.
“Both are being penalised but it’s the same €100,” he said.
Cllr Dwane-Stanley’s motion called on Laois County Council to write to the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien to review the decision.
And she also highlighted a change where the local councils are now being told to assess someone’s income on 20 weeks of the previous year – and not their current status.
“This is another change made in the last five or six weeks that is having a huge effect,” she said.
“Somebody could be out of work now and in a totally different position than they were in the previous year. It it is not reflecting someone’s current situation.
