Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
302. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households by county that have had their rent increased above the prescribed rent supplement limit, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/17]
View answerThe rent supplement scheme, for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017, plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 46,000 tenants.
In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, my Department implements a targeted case-by-case policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. Since the introduction of this flexible approach, almost 11,200 persons at imminent risk of homelessness have been supported through increased rent supplement payments. A county breakdown of these payments is provided in the following tabular statement.
The Deputy will be aware that the strategic policy direction of the Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support with the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which from 1 March, 2017, is now available nationwide. HAP was first piloted in the Limerick area in early 2014, with the number of HAP recipients (c. 1,600) in Limerick City and County now exceeding the number of rent supplement recipients (945). In addition to the ongoing transfer of tenancies from rent supplement to HAP, the majority of new applicants in Limerick seeking State support towards their rent are being supported under HAP rather than rent supplement. This activity is reflected in the low number of increased payments provided under rent supplement in this area.
In tandem with the revised rental limits introduced in July 2016 and on-going transfers to HAP, my Department continues to implement a targeted, flexible, case-by-case approach where rents may exceed the appropriate maximum limit ensuring where possible that rent supplement tenants can retain their homes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statement
Total Cumulative Increased Rental Payments by County as at 28 th February, 2017
|
County |
Cumulative Awards under National Tenancy Sustainment Framework |
Cumulative Awards under protocol with Threshold |
Total no. of increased payments by County |
|
CARLOW |
75 |
75 |
|
|
CAVAN |
66 |
66 |
|
|
CLARE |
60 |
60 |
|
|
CORK |
454 |
97 |
551 |
|
DONEGAL |
- |
- |
|
|
DUBLIN |
4,320 |
2,570 |
6,890 |
|
GALWAY |
207 |
3 |
210 |
|
KERRY |
206 |
206 |
|
|
KILDARE |
558 |
3 |
561 |
|
KILKENNY |
136 |
136 |
|
|
LAOIS |
119 |
119 |
|
|
LEITRIM |
101 |
101 |
|
|
LIMERICK |
17 |
17 |
