The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support, to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
There are currently over 96,200 tenants benefiting from a rent supplement payment — an increase of 61 per cent since the end of 2007. Over 44,500 have been in payment for 18 months or more. The rental accommodation scheme (RAS), which was introduced in 2004, gives local authorities specific responsibility for meeting the longer term housing needs of people receiving rent supplement for 18 months or more.
The Department, on a quarterly basis, advises local authorities through the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government of all tenants who have been in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more. It is then the responsibility of the local authority to determine whether a person is eligible for accommodation under the rental accommodation scheme. Any person taking up an employment or training opportunity is advised of their entitlements by the community welfare service.