Vol. 576 No. 1
366 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the full effect of recently announced restrictions in the rent allowance scheme will be felt by tenants living in private rented dwellings which have heretofore supported her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29312/03]
367 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department has calculated the likely cost to those in private rented accommodation arising from the recently announced cutbacks in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29313/03]
368 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people likely to be affected by her recently announced restrictions on rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29314/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 to 368, inclusive, together.
I announced a number of measures in relation to rent supplements when the Estimates for 2004 were published. Apart from the proposed increase of €1 in the minimum contribution which, all rent supplement recipients are required to make towards their rent costs from their own resources, the measures being introduced will not affect tenants in the private rented sector who are already in receipt of a rent supplement.
With regard to future claims, it is anticipated that in the region of 2,000 fewer claims for rent supplement will arise in 2004 as a result of the new measures. The legislation and regulations governing the rent supplement scheme require amendment to implement these measures. The necessary amending legislation will be introduced shortly and the measures are intended to apply from the beginning of next year.
