Finian McGrath
Ceist:75 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [24675/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 17 May 2012
Ceisteanna (74)
Freagraí scríofa
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. There are approximately 95,000 rent supplement recipients with a forecast outturn of €437 million provided for 2012.
The Department currently funds approximately 40% of the private rented sector so it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review, reflect current market conditions and do not distort the market in a way that could increase rent prices for others, such as low paid workers and students.
The new maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012 and are in line with the most up to date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.
The person concerned is in receipt of rent supplement assessed on her current rent of €925 per month. She was advised that the new rent limit appropriate to her family circumstances is €875 per month. As this person has no current lease with her landlord she was advised that her rent supplement would continue based on €935 per month for 13 weeks giving time to renegotiate with her landlord or to seek alternative accommodation at or below the appropriate rate.