Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 March 2012

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Ceisteanna (95)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

95 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 7 March 2012, if she will clarify the intended meaning of “court approved access” in view of the fact that the applicant in question submitted court documentation issued by the District Court dated 20 September 2011 to the effect that not only was he a joint guardian of his son under section 6A of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, but was granted access to his son by order under section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964; if she will review the case in view of the fact that he is a single person with now two young children; if she will further set out specific, clear and incontrovertible guidelines as to the amount of time that single fathers with court approved access must have custody of their respective children in order to qualify for rent support in order to provide their children with a stable living environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14426/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

As previously stated the purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term 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 overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer.

Any person seeking a rent supplement must first satisfy the Department's representative that they have a housing need that they are unable to meet from their own resources. In addition, the Department must be satisfied that the residence is reasonably suited to the needs of the claimant. The Department must also be satisfied that the rent payable is reasonable having regard to the nature, character and location of the residence.

In a case where parents have joint custody of a child, the needs of both parents to have adequate accommodation to look after the child are taken into account when an application for a rent supplement is being determined. As previously stated there is no exact amount of time a parent must have access to their child and every claim for rent supplement is determined having regard to all of the circumstances of the case. In this case the Department is satisfied that the person concerned is in need of accommodation but that the accommodation needs of his children are already met. A rent supplement payment in this case will be considered when accommodation at the rate appropriate to his need is obtained.