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Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Ceisteanna (351)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

351. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the geographic areas where landlords may not accept rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22170/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources. 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 currently approximately 77,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014. In general there is no restriction on the geographic areas where persons may receive rent supplement. However Section 25 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provides that a payment of rent supplement shall not be payable in respect of accommodation which is situated in an area notified to the Minister for Social Protection by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, as being an area of regeneration for the purpose of providing for greater social integration. Rent supplement is not paid in respect of accommodation situated in the Ballymun regeneration area, as outlined by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in this regard.

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