Gary Gannon
Question:1021. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of deposits issued in respect of HAP tenancies since the commencement of the Covid-19 crisis. [8231/20]
View answerWednesday, 27 May 2020
Questions (1021)
Written answers
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. Decisions are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
An application may be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with the a payment of a rent deposit by tenants supported under both the rent supplement scheme and the housing assistance payment (HAP). I am advised that there have been 163 ENPs for rent deposits made from 16 March 2020 to 16 May 2020.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.