I propose to take Question Nos
44 and 226 together.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting 34,400 recipients for which the Government has provided €180 million for in 2018. Continued entitlement to rent supplement is not linked to entitlement to other social welfare schemes, however the rent supplement claim may be reviewed following a decision to suspend or disallow a primary social welfare payment as there may be a change to the claimant’s circumstances that could affect eligibility. During a review of a rent supplement claim, the Department’s officer in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) will engage with the customer to establish continued eligibility as quickly as possible and limit any delay to payments, including the issue of any outstanding arrears payments.
Every effort is made so that rent supplement tenants are supported by my Department and any person in the situation referred to by the Deputy is encouraged to contact the CWS office responsible for their claim at the earliest opportunity.
I have no plans to introduce a further payment for rent supplement recipients. 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. There are currently over 31,500 HAP cases in payment and officials in my Department continue to support the transfer of cases from long term rent supplement to this scheme.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
