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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Ceisteanna (250, 251, 252)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

337 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has given consideration to the effect on the availability of accommodation to rent supplement recipients in the single person category of the implementation of articles 6 and 7 of statutory instrument 534 of 2008 in February 2013; if rent supplement will still be payable to tenants in accommodation which falls below these standards; if she has any plans in place to address any anticipated issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24892/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Details are not currently available of the number of rent supplement recipients that will be affected by the implementation of articles 6 and 7 of Statutory Instrument 534 of 2008 on 1 February 2013. Results from Census 2011 show that there are a total of 5,695 properties classified as bedsits in the State with the majority in the Dublin area. The census also shows that 5,307 of these bedsits are rented.

Responsibility for setting and enforcing housing standards rests with the Local Authorities. However, accommodation occupied by rent supplement tenants should at least meet minimum housing standards. In consultation with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, S.I. No. 572 of 2006 and Section 25 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 introduced the condition that allows the Department's officer administering supplementary welfare allowance to decide that a rent supplement may not be payable where it has been notified by a housing authority of the non-compliance with standards.

Where such a notification is received from a housing authority in respect of an existing tenant it is recommended that the designated officer would discuss the situation with the tenant and take whatever action it decides is necessary in the best interests of the tenant. This condition for rent supplement supports the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in their aim to promote further improvement in private rented accommodation standards.

John Lyons

Ceist:

338 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [24894/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The person concerned was disallowed rent supplement on 20th April 2012. A new application was received on 27th April 2012. A request for outstanding information was sent on 4th May but to date no response has been received. Once the outstanding information is received in the Department a decision will be made on the person's claim.

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

339 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24895/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th April 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

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