Vol. 508 No. 3
82 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the new local authority rent assistance scheme will be introduced; the main provisions of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/99]
As indicated in the statement which I issued on 9 August 1999, when publishing the report of the interdepartmental committee on administration of rent and mortgage assistance, the Government has decided in principle to establish a new local authority rent assistance scheme to replace, in the main, the current arrangements for rent supplementation under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
A planning group is being established to draw up details of new arrangements, and to address the various issues arising in their implementation. I expect the planning group to report within six months of its establishment. Definitive Government decisions in relation to a new scheme will be taken in the light of the planning group's report. A minimum two year time frame is envisaged for introducing new arrangements.
