Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Written Answers. - Rented Accommodation Standards.

Tony Gregory

Question:

329 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline his Department's policy regarding the provision of rent allowances to tenants of landlords where the living conditions are below certain standards; and if he will have arrangements made for an inspection of the condition of a premises (details supplied) in Dublin in view of the representations made by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. McCreevy)

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare by health boards, a supplement may be paid to eligible applicants in respect of the costs of private rented accommodation in excess of £3.50 per week.

Payment of rent supplements under this scheme ensures that persons on social welfare incomes, who rely on the private rented sector for their accommodation, have access to accommodation which is appropriate to their needs. The Department of Social Welfare has advised health boards that the rent payable in such cases should be reasonable for the size and type of accommodation in the particular area sought.

In practice, community welfare officers visit the accommodation to ensure that the rent payable corresponds with the going rate for such dwellings and represents fair value for money. Health boards may refuse to pay a supplement if they consider the accommodation to be below a reasonable standard, for instance, if it lacks basic sanitary facilities.

A review of the guidelines on rent and mortgage supplementation is currently being finalised in the Department of Social Welfare and the question raised by the Deputy will be examined in that context. In addition, the matter will be discussed with the health boards with a view to eliminating any misuse of the scheme by unscrupulous landlords.

Legislation obliges landlords to register a house, which is sublet in more than two lettings, with the local authority which will inspect the accommodation for the purpose of assessing its suitability for letting. The competent authority in this case is Dublin Corporation and I am arranging for the question as to suitability for letting of the accommodation in question to be raised with the Corporation.

I have been informed by the Eastern Health Board that no rent supplements are currently being paid in respect of the premises.