Regulatory Impact Assessment for Rental Income amendments to NHSS
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 15 September 2022
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Department of Health completed a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA). The RIA considered the effects of proposed changes to the Fair Deal scheme regarding how the rental income of a person’s home is assessed.
The RIA looked at the advantages and disadvantages of each option. This was in line with the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ Strategy, action 19.8, “to remove disincentives against the rental of vacant properties by participants in the Fair Deal scheme.”
The RIA examined 3 options:
- Assess rental income at 40% instead of 80%,
- Not to include rental income if the property is rented through a housing scheme and to assess rental income at 40% if rented privately
- Not to include any rental income from a person’s home.
The Department considered the results of the RIA, considering the residents and the scheme, and recommended option 1. Option 1 could make around 1,200 more properties available to rent. It also makes sure that the scheme is properly funded and that the care of residents is kept as a priority.
The Department will look at the changes after 6 months and decide if more changes are needed.
The changes were made through the Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. This Act was passed for the second time by the Seanad on 30 June 2022. It was signed by the President on 6 July 2022.
