Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
772. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of retaining the enhanced rent supplement for the rest of 2020 and all of 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22577/20]
View answer773. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of enhanced rent supplement due to Covid-19; the number of claims that ended on 31 August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22578/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 772 and 773 together.
Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting 19,600 recipients; of which there are 6,000 cases receiving payment under the enhanced rent supplement criteria provided during the Covid pandemic.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
My Department will continue to operate rent supplement on a flexible basis up to 31 March 2021, in line with the timeline for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. No claims were to be discontinued on the 31 August 2020; in line with the previous extension, officers were instructed to treat all claims as on-going some weeks prior to the August 31 deadline. If the Deputy is aware of any case where rent supplement was discontinued, please bring it to my attention, and it will be rectified immediately.
The revised forecast cost for supporting the rent supplement scheme to the end of the year is in the region of €133m, a €36.6m increase against original budget.
With respect to forecast outturn for the 2021, the quarterly cost for supporting the current rent supplement base of 19,600 customers is €33.7m; approximately €134.8m for a full year. The likely impact on the outturn for rent supplement, due to HAP and transfers to other social housing options, is yet to be finalised.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
