Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2011
36 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 17 November, if she will confirm that information was submitted several months ago to the relevant section in her Department indicating that the applicant was involved in the care of the child prior to moving into rented accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39293/11]
View answerFurther to parliamentary Question No. 148 of 17 November, the person concerned made an application for rent supplement on the 1 September 2010. The only information relating to his child prior to the original application was the housing needs assessment dated 29 July 2010. There was no evidence of a history of financial support regarding the care of his child prior to the application for rent supplement. All subsequent information relating to access to the child was sent after the person concerned made the initial application. The local authority in question has deemed that the person concerned only has an entitlement to the provision of a one-bedroom housing solution. The applicant has the option of appealing the decision to refuse rent supplement to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
37 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a back to school clothing allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39310/11]
View answerThe person concerned has been awarded a back to school clothing and footwear allowance and payment will issue shortly.
38 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a matter (details supplied) regarding rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39318/11]
View answerThe purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term 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.
Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department's relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is made to the tenant. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme.
Current legislation already provides for the making of a rent supplement payment to another person (e.g. a relative, a landlord or landlord's agent) on behalf of the recipient, at the tenant's written request and subject to the consent of the Department. Approximately 20% of rent supplement payments are currently paid to a person other than the tenant.
As the Deputy will be aware on 16 June 2011, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Housing and Planning published a new housing policy framework statement. The policy contained the announcement for the transfer of responsibility in providing housing needs for long term rent supplement recipients to housing authorities on a phased basis. A multi-agency steering group has been established to develop proposals to give effect to this transfer. This transfer will help achieve a key Government commitment of removing barriers to employment while at the same time changing the way in which rent supplement tenants receive support from the State to meet their accommodation needs. The rent supplement scheme will then revert to its original purpose, that of a short term income support payment for those temporarily unemployed.
