Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 49,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million in 2016.
The information requested by the Deputy is not collated by the Department but I am advised that the number of young persons on reduced rate of jobseekers allowance who receive rent supplement support is approximately 500 in total. The measure, which I announced as part of Budget 2017, effectively increases these young people’s after-rent income whilst on age-related social welfare payments by reducing their minimum contribution under rent supplement. For single persons under 25 years they will be €20 better off per week – paying a minimum contribution of €10 per week rather than the current €30, and for persons over 25 and under 26 they will be €10 better off per week, paying a minimum contribution of €20 per week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.