Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
157. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding rent supplement allowance in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11129/15]
View answer185. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding support in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11348/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 185 together.
The person concerned was in receipt of rent supplement from this Department from 10th December 2012 in respect of his family's accommodation at their recent address. This claim was subject to periodical review. At the time of the most recent review in August 2014, the amount of rent payable by the person concerned, as stated in his review form, was €1000 per calendar month. Prior to him making a telephone call to the Rents Unit on 9th March 2015 in which he advised that he and his family had already moved out of their rented accommodation, the Department was unaware that his rent had further increased, or that he and his family had left their accommodation. Consequently his claim for rent supplement was then closed. In addition the person concerned stated that he did not wish to make a new application for rent supplement or have an information pack sent to him.
Had the Department been aware earlier of their circumstances this family would have been referred to the housing charity Threshold under the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol. This would have enabled the family's housing needs to be addressed prior to them moving from their accommodation, and a recommendation would have been made to the Department with regard to their claim for rent supplement.
The person concerned and his family are being provided with emergency temporary accommodation by the local authority who are presumably looking, via a Housing Action Team (HAT), for more suitable long-term accommodation. If this is to be in the private rented sector then he should contact the Department, directly or via the HAT, to claim rent supplement payment.
