Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
94. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5948/14]
View answerWhen the entitlement to rent supplement for the person concerned was assessed, it was based on a rent cost of €105.00 per week. This was the amount of rent payable by him as stated in writing by both the person concerned and his landlord when his claim was last reviewed on 6 March 2013; furthermore it was also confirmed by the lease agreement provided for the accommodation. Under Social Welfare legislation all persons who apply for a rent supplement are required to make a minimum contribution towards their rent. In his case the minimum contribution was €32.00 per week; the €30.00 statutory minimum contribution plus the €2.00 difference between the jobseeker’s allowance rate of €188.00 per week and the supplementary welfare allowance rate of €186.00 per week. This gave him an entitlement to rent supplement of €73.00 per week.
The Rents Unit which administers his claim is unaware of any increase in the rent cost for the person concerned. As the fact that there may have been an increase has now come to light, a review form has been issued to the person concerned together with a request to submit an updated lease agreement. On receipt of this documentation by the Rents Unit, the entitlement to rent supplement for the person concerned will be reassessed.
