Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015
17. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the current maximum limit of €520 for a single person's rent allowance is adequate to obtain private rented accommodation, in view of the increases in rents and the issue regarding the lack of properties accepting rent allowance from potential tenants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4770/15]
View answerThere are currently approximately 71,500 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015. I am acutely aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in maintaining affordable rented accommodation in areas of high demand in the current market, including single persons in receipt of rent supplement in Dublin. The Department is finalising a review of the maximum rent limits and raising rent limits may not be the solution to the problem as it is likely to add to further rental inflation and could impact, not alone on rent supplement recipients, but also on lower income workers and students. I am keeping the matter under close review. The Department has measures in place to ensure that the housing needs of rent supplement customers at risk of homelessness are addressed by providing for increased flexibility within the administration of the rent supplement scheme. Notices circulated to Community Welfare Service staff reminding them of their discretionary power to award, on a case by case basis, a supplement for rental purposes in such circumstances in July and December 2014. A National Framework has also been developed to ensure that supports continue to be provided in a consistent manner. The Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol introduced in the Dublin region during 2014, has provided support for some 340 families to date. In addition, over 60 single persons were dealt with directly by Threshold and referred to the Department as appropriate.
The Department is aware that some leading property websites ask potential landlords to indicate whether they will accept rent supplement tenancies. It is the Department’s expressed position that this practice should cease and the matter was raised with the leading websites. The Department is also engaging with the Department of Justice and Equality regarding this matter.
It open to any person who has been refused a private tenancy and who feels discriminated against on the basis of the nine grounds set out in the equality legislation to refer a discrimination complaint to the Equality Tribunal under the Equal Status Acts.
