Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Richard Bruton

Question:

299 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider introducing a consolidated housing supplement so that, for example, a single parent who is working can claim rent supplement taking into account the financial cost of providing crèche facilities for her child while at work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14945/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Government's approach in this area to is to maximise responsibility for housing under the Department of the Environment and Local Government. As the Deputy may be aware, the Government has decided in principle to introduce a new scheme of private sector rent assistance to be operated by local authorities. In that regard, I understand my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, will bring detailed proposals to Government shortly.

One of the objectives of the new scheme will be to ensure that a full range of housing options is available to people with long-term housing needs, including those on local authority waiting lists who are renting in the private rented sector. The Government has also taken a number of other initiatives to improve the supply of social and affordable housing. The priority therefore is to provide housing solutions rather than social welfare solutions to meet the housing needs of people on low incomes. Given that context, I do not propose to introduce a new consolidated housing supplement scheme within the social welfare system to address the needs of working single parents.