Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
733. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons whose rent support has been reduced in the past two years; the extent, if known, to which the persons subsequently became homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39882/17]
View answer734. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she remains satisfied that the rent support system operated by her Department is adequate and sensitive to the needs of persons that find themselves under pressure from increased rent; if provisions in respect of the rent pressure zones have been sufficient to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39883/17]
View answer735. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of rent support; the cost on an annual basis; the extent to which new build local authority housing can address the housing need directly and in preference to rent support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39884/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 733 to 735, inclusive, together.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting 38,600 recipients at a cost of €253 million in 2017.
The scheme is being administered to take account of the on-going rental market difficulties through the implementation of a targeted case-by-case approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. In addition, a protocol arrangement is in place with Threshold and is operational in the areas where supply issues are particularly acute and rent pressure zones are in place covering Kildare, Dublin, Cork, Meath, Wicklow and Galway City. For 2017 to date, some 1,400 recipients have been supported with increased rent payments above the rent limits.
Rent supplement is a statutory means tested scheme, payable at differentiated rates of payment according to the applicant’s means and accommodation requirements, and is normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) appropriate to their family circumstances, less a weekly minimum contribution. Rent supplement entitlement is generally only reduced if the recipient has had an increase in their assessable means. Statistics are not maintained on the number of rent supplement payments reduced. The means assessment and differentiated rates of payment ensures that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The Deputy will be aware that the strategic policy direction of my Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support with the introduction of the HAP scheme. Policy in relation to HAP and new build local authority housing is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputies.
