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Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

Questions (1275)

John Brady

Question:

1275. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons aged from 18 to 25 years of age who are in receipt of rent supplement. [13428/19]

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Written answers

Rent supplement continues its important role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 22,600 recipients for which the Government has provided €132.4 million for 2019.

The total number of recipients of those not yet 26 years of age (aged 18 to 25 years of age) is 556, which is approximately 2.5% of the total number of rent supplement recipients currently in receipt of support.

Since January 2017, young people who are on age-related-reduced benefits pay less towards the cost of their rent supplement. The minimum personal contribution of young people from 18 to 24 years receiving age-related-reduced social welfare support is €10 per week, and for those who are 25 years of age, €20 per week. There are also reduced rent supplement minimum contributions expected for couple categories receiving age-related-reduced social welfare support. For all other categories, i.e., those not receiving age-related-reduced social welfare payments, single persons are required to provide €30 weekly minimum contribution towards their accommodation and €40 for couple categories.

Rent Supplement continues its withdrawal from the provision of long term housing within the private rented sector. The aim of the “Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (July 2016), reiterated in the “Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021” (September 2018), is to provide 87,000 flexible housing supports through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme between 2016 and 2021.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 1276 answered with Question No. 1270.
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