Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
116. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are in place for older working people who do not own their own home, are above social housing assistance limits but will be unable to afford private renting once they retire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33032/23]
View answerThe main supports available to those in the private rented sector with an ongoing long-term accommodation need are the Housing Assistance Payment, which supports more than 58,000 active tenancies and the Rental Accommodation Scheme which supports more than 16,500 tenancies. The Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme are administered by Local Authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Separately, my department administers the Rent Supplement Scheme which continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation. There are 8,861 active recipients being supported at the end of May 2023.
Rent Supplement 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.
Housing policy and the provision of supports to those in the private rented sector is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or from other personal and household resources. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
