Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020
138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if the funds saved following the transfer of recipients of rent allowance to HAP, leasing arrangements and RAS have then been transferred to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the organisation responsible for the latter payments; and if so, the amount in each of the years since the commencement of the payments. [25693/20]
View answerThis Department prepares estimates for Rent Supplement for the coming year based on emerging trends on recipients for Rent Supplement having regard to anticipated transfers to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) over that year.
Similarly, the Department of Housing prepares annual expenditure estimates for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) based on trends and expected demand for the schemes administered by local authorities.
Expenditure on Rent Supplement is monitored and explained against the allocation provided for in the Revised Estimate each year. There is no transfer of funds between the two departments following transfer of recipients to HAP or RAS because any transfer of recipients envisaged is provided for in the HAP and RAS estimates provided for in the Department of Housing's Vote at the start of each year.
