Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
372 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of occasions since new maximum rent limits for rent supplement scheme came into effect on the 1 January 2012 rent supplements above the new limit have been paid due to the particular circumstances of the individual case. [29513/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. The general practice is that rent supplement is not paid where the rent is above the relevant limit. However, rent supplement may be paid in cases where the rent is above the relevant limit in the following circumstances:
Where there are special housing needs related to exceptional circumstances (in particular, for example, a person with a disability in specially-adapted accommodation or homeless persons whose housing needs cannot be met within the standard terms of the rent supplement scheme, etc.);
Where the person concerned is entitled to an income disregard and has sufficient income to meet his or her basic needs after paying rent, taking into account the appropriate rate of rent supplement that is otherwise payable in the case. "Sufficient income" in this context means the relevant basic supplementary welfare allowance rate less the prescribed minimum contribution to rent; and/or
Where the tenant will be in a position to re-assume responsibility for his/her rent within a short period. For this purpose, a guideline period of no longer than 6 to 8 weeks is suggested but where there are exceptional circumstances, an extension up to a total of 12 weeks may be allowed.
Statistics are not available on the exact number of cases where rent supplement was paid in excess of the maximum rent limit since January 2012.
