Tony Gregory
Question:276 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason persons (details supplied) in Dublin 8 were refused a free rent allowance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Under the provisions of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme the determination of whether a rent supplement should be paid in any case is a matter for the health board.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board that the persons in question were living in local authority accommodation but surrendered that accommodation to the local authority and moved to private rented accommodation. They subsequently applied to the health board for a rent supplement but were refused because the health board considered that they had surrendered their previous accommodation without sufficient reason.
It is also understood that the persons in question have lodged an appeal to the health board and that the matter is being considered by the board's appeals officer at present. The appeals officer's decision will be conveyed to the persons concerned.