Social Welfare Code

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Questions (320)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

387 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if, on the basis that the National Administrative Procedures Manual includes the requirement to notify the SWA section of exceptions in cases where the rent is above the relevant maximum limit, and on the basis that these procedures have been consistently reaffirmed in SWA circulars on rent limits at least since 2007 and as recently as 22 December 2011 in section 6.4 of SWA Circular 21/11 and on the basis that in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 263 of 21 March 2012, the Minister stated that statistics are not available on the exact number of cases where rent supplement was paid in excess of the maximum rent limit; her views on whether the lack of available information is a cause for concern; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21791/12]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term income support to eligible tenants 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. The overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 95,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement, with €436m provided in 2012.

The Deputy is correct to state that the Department's officials administering rent supplement are required to notify the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) section of cases where rent supplement is awarded above the relevant maximum limit appropriate to the case under review. However, statistics are not readily available on the exact number of cases where rent supplement was paid in excess of the maximum rent limit. The Department is currently reviewing the reporting process with a view to providing comprehensive and accessible information.