Rent Supplement Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Questions (364)

Stephen S. Donnelly

Question:

376 Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 20 June 2012, in which she stated that documentation is normally required showing that a joint custody arrangement is in place and being availed of before a decision can be made on rent supplement, if she has issued any instruction; or if her attention has been drawn to any instruction being issued in her Department, that the only documentation that will be accepted in these cases is a court order; if such instruction has been issued, if she will rescind same; if she will specify the forms of documentation that will fulfil this requirement to prove that a joint custody arrangement is in place; and if the latter does not already include a letter form a solicitor, if she will ensure that this is now included as acceptable. [32250/12]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme 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. 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.

As previously advised every claim for rent supplement is determined having regard to the particular circumstances of the applicant and in a case where parents have joint custody of a child, the needs of both parents to have adequate accommodation are taken into account when an application for a rent supplement is being determined. While documentation is normally required showing that a joint custody arrangement is in place, and being availed of, before a decision can be made, it is a matter for the officer administering the scheme to determine the form of documentation required having regard to the specifics of each case. My Department has not issued any instruction to officers administering the rent supplement scheme on the documentation required for claims where the applicant has joint custody of a child.

Question No. 377 answered with Question No. 364.