The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on behalf of my Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in decisions on individual claims. Rent supplements are subject to a statutory limit on the amount of rent that an applicant for supplement may incur.
The Dublin mid-Leinster region of the executive has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement on the grounds that the rent payable for his accommodation was in excess of the prescribed maximum limit for his area of residence and for his household size.
The executive has further advised that, in its opinion, there are no special circumstances in this case to merit payment of rent supplement to the person concerned on an exceptional needs basis.
It is open to the person concerned to appeal the decision to the appeals office within the Health Service Executive.