Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004
476 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if powers exist to prevent health boards from giving rent subsidy to persons who are either evicted or excluded from local authority housing due to anti-social activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23589/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubject to certain conditions, the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs and who do not have accommodation available from any other source.
Section 179A of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993 as inserted by section 16 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 997, provides a health board with the legislative authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body. This came into effect on 1 July 1997.
While powers exist to allow health boards to refuse a rent supplement to persons who are either evicted or excluded from local authority housing due to anti social activity, a health board may, having considered the circumstances of each individual case, provide assistance where, in the opinion of the board, the circumstances of the particular case so warrant.
Where a local authority tenant is evicted for anti-social behaviour the health board normally liaises with the local authority to assess the most suitable solution to address the person's accommodation needs.
