Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2015

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Questions (43)

Tom Fleming

Question:

43. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of rent supplement allowance who have been requested for review more than twice, between the dates 1 July 2014 and 31 May 2015, inclusive, in view of the fact this is unnecessary and imposes an administrative cost on the State to carry out repeat reviews which entail administrative duties on the client, the client's landlord, the local county council and her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22553/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

There are currently approximately 68,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015.

Rent supplement claims are generally reviewed once to twice yearly. Reviews are a key control of the scheme ensuring that the correct rate of the supplement is paid to those who continue to meet the conditions of the scheme. Statistics are not maintained regarding the number of rent supplement reviews undertaken.