The income eligibility thresholds for social housing have been widened to include a further 16,000 people from today, the Government has announced. 

Currently, an individual is entitled to apply for certain Government support schemes - such as social housing and the Housing Assistance Payment - if they earn below a certain amount each year. 

As of 1st January, the income threshold has been increased by €5,000 across the country. 

People living in the Band 3 counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary will now be entitled to housing support schemes if they earn €30,000 or less - up from €25,000 last year. 

For those living in a Band 2 area, such as Carlow, Clare, Cork County, Galway County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, the amount is now €35,000 or less - up from €30,000. 

Those in a Band 1 area - which includes Cork City, Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway City, Meath, South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow - can apply if they earn €40,000 or less. 

2G9H5T5 housing construction Ireland. Newly built residential development and luxury apartments at Cathedral Place, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

Speaking to Newstalk, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said it would make a significant difference to many people. 

“[It’s an increase] €5,000 in all the income eligibility thresholds right across the 26 counties,” he said. 

“And it will mean, we estimate, in the region of 16,000 plus additional households will be eligible for social housing - to go onto the social housing list - but also the support that are available for people once they’re qualified for the housing assistance payment.”

Main image: House keys.