Vol. 432 No. 5
57 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement on the policy of the Southern Health Board whereby they consider that the maximum rent that should be paid by a single person should be £35 per week for a private apartment or flat and that they are basing their rent allowance on that figure; and if he will confirm that this is Departmental policy.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, Health Boards may pay a weekly supplement towards the rent costs of persons whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The supplement is calculated so that, after payment of rent, the recipient has an income equal to the rate of Supplementary Welfare Allowance, appropriate to his family size, less £5.
In assessing the level of rent supplement payment, Health Boards take into consideration the accommodation needs of the applicant and the prevailing level of rents in the area for the family size and the type of accommodation sought. This method of determining rent supplements applies in all Health Board areas and limits may be set by reference to what is considered a reasonable level of rent. The setting of any local limits is a matter for each Health Board. In setting such limits the board would always retain the right to make payments in excess of the limits where there are exceptional circumstances.
