Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 April 2016
57. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will implement a homeless persons support unit in Counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow to cope with the increasing number of homeless persons presenting; how the service will accommodate the interim support needs of this cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7066/16]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection, through the Community Welfare Service (CWS) provides assistance with income maintenance to homeless persons. The first point of contact for homeless clients to access this service is their local community welfare service.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 57,600 people for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016.
The Department introduced a Divisional Framework on preventing Tenancy Loss for Rent Supplement Recipients in January 2015 to provide for a targeted approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the rent supplement scheme. Each household’s circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis and Rent Supplement is paid to them at rates above the prescribed maximum rent limits where homelessness or the threat of homelessness is a factor. This targeted approach has assisted over 7,450 households nationwide to retain their rented accommodation through increased rent payments, with approximately 790 households assisted in Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. A detailed breakdown for the relevant Counties is provided.
The Rent Supplement Unit for Mid-Leinster administers this framework for Counties Kildare, Wicklow and Carlow. It has a number of Designated Officers who deal with the issue of threatened homelessness and they liaise with homeless agencies and homeless representatives to provide immediate support by way of the Rent Supplement scheme to prevent homelessness.
The Department’s strategic policy direction is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support scheme. In July 2013, the Government approved the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Under HAP, the responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with long-term housing needs transferred from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to Local Authorities. This applies both to existing and new customers of the Rent Supplement scheme, who have already been assessed by their Local Authority as having a housing need. There are now over 8,300 persons in receipt of HAP of which over 280 are in the Kildare and Meath areas. Both Kildare and Meath Local Authorities introduced HAP as part of their suite of supports available on 2 November 2015.
Support is also available to assist persons under the Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) scheme towards rent deposits or rent in advance for both rent supplement and HAP recipients. In 2015, DSP made a total of some 2,500 rent deposit payments at a cost of €1.4 million.
Persons in danger of becoming homeless should make immediate contact with the Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection or the Threshold Tenancy Sustainment Service.
Total Increased Rental Payments by County as at 11/04/2016
|
County |
Awards under National Tenancy Sustainment Framework |
Awards under protocol with Threshold |
Total no. of increased payments by County |
|
KILDARE |
338 |
338 |
|
|
MEATH |
292 |
292 |
|
|
WICKLOW |
158 |
158 |
