Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
67. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities to whom tenants owe money in rent arrears have a policy on the way to deal with vulnerable customers in debt; the nature of these policies; the way that they are managed and overseen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46965/22]
View answerDecisions regarding management of arrears are a matter for individual local authorities. Local authorities actively engage with tenants to ensure rent arrears do not arise in the first instance. Where arrears do arise the local authority will work with the tenant to put in place a repayment arrangement to assist the tenant in managing the arrears. These arrangements would generally take into consideration any other forms of indebtedness on the part of the tenant and can include advising the tenant of the services offered by the Money and Budgeting Advice Service. Local authority rent schemes also generally make allowances for specific hardship cases. In such cases, they may accept lesser amounts for a specified period if they consider the amount of rent due would cause undue hardship for the tenant.
The Department of Social Protection Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme offers a safety net within the overall social welfare system by assisting those whose means are insufficient to meet their own needs and those of their dependents. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance to those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. There are several payments within the scheme, including once-off exceptional needs payments which can cover rent arrears.
