Rental Accommodation Scheme Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Questions (55)

Martin Ferris

Question:

55. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council has confirmed to councillors that it is spending €1.5 million more per year on the rental accommodation scheme than is given to it by his Department; if this is the case in any other local authority; the reason this is the case; and the action his Department is taking to ensure that RAS is sufficiently funded. [27062/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

I refer to the reply to Question No. 573 of 11 June. I have already confirmed that funding for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is provided by a transfer of monies from the Department of Social Protection’s Vote to the Vote of my Department on an Exchequer neutral basis to meet the costs of persons transferring from the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Rent Supplement Scheme to the RAS. Therefore as already set out the issue of local authorities incurring costs in excess of the overall amount provided by my Department does not arise.