Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 2

Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.

John Perry

Ceist:

230 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the rent allowances for the North-Western Health Board are the lowest in the country; if she will grant an increase in the rent allowance rates to a more realistic level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9063/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by health boards, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs.

For the purpose of determining the amount of rent supplement payable, each health board has set maximum rent levels for different categories of households, for example, single people or families with children etc. The maximum levels were set by reference to the local property market and consequently they will differ from one board's functional area to another. In setting maximum rent levels, each board must be satisfied that accommodation is available at those levels. The levels in place in the North-Western Health Board region were set by the health board in October 2001.

Data provided by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, show that rent levels in the private sector have been stable for some time and have actually fallen in the period from April 2002. More recent data from the CSO confirms this trend. Accordingly, higher levels of maximum rents are not needed for the purpose of the SWA rent supplement scheme. In the circumstances, I decided to maintain the maximum rent levels, as set by the health boards, at their current levels until the end of December 2003. The North-Western Health Board advised my Department of its current maximum rent levels on 20 November 2002 and regulations giving effect to them were introduced shortly afterwards.

In general, a rent supplement is not payable where the amount of rent being sought exceeds the health board's appropriate level. However, the legislation governing the payment of rent supplement allows health boards to exceed their maximum levels in cases where, in the opinion of the board, exceptional circumstance exist. I am satisfied that the approach I am taking is correct. Setting higher maximum rent limits than are justified by the open market would distort the rental market, leading to a general rise in rent levels that would disadvantage people on low incomes.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

231 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if parents of Irish born children who have been given permission to remain here by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform prior to 19 February 2003 can apply to their local health board for a supplementary welfare rent allowance; if her Department has evidence that this is happening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9108/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

People who are not Irish nationals but who are parents of Irish born children and who have been given permission to remain in the State may apply to their local health board for a rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This situation applies regardless of when the person entered the State.

A number of applications from non-nationals who are parents of Irish born children have been put into payment since 19 February. In general, the accommodation needs of asylum seekers will continue to be catered for under the direct provision system operated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which came into effect on 10 April 2000. The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 provides that regulations may be made under which a rent supplement would not be payable to asylum seekers prior to the successful determination of their claim unless they were already in receipt of such a payment.