Michael Ring
Question:380 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to deduct rent and loan repayments directly from a person's benefit. [14349/97]
Written Answers - Social Welfare Deductions.
There is legislative provision to enable a local authority tenant to pay their rent by means of direct deduction from their social welfare entitlement. The provision is contained in section 240 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993.
At present the deduction arrangement is available to certain unemployed persons paid at post offices and is currently being extended to lone parents. This arrangement is working well and the numbers availing of it are continuing to rise. There are 58 local authorities using the scheme at present.