Rent Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2020

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Questions (185)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

185. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of active rent supplement payments. [26113/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting some 19,600 active recipients.

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 those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Since the introduction of HAP, Rent Supplement continues to revert to original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.