Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 April 2016
55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to monitor the need for any further increase in rent support with particular reference to the needs of families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7556/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which her Department continues to monitor the situation in respect of rent supplement with a view to ensuring that everything possible can be done to maximise the impact on the housing situation and homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7717/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 84 together.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 57,600 people for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016. There were over 20,100 rent supplement tenancies awarded during 2015 and over 3,000 during the first three months of 2016 showing that significant numbers of individuals and families are being accommodated under the scheme.
The Department undertook a review of the rent limits in 2015 and found that the impact of increasing limits at a time of constrained supply in the private rented market will increase costs disproportionately for the Exchequer with little or no new housing available to recipients. The Department continues to closely monitor the situation and has implemented a national targeted policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the rent supplement scheme. The circumstances of tenants are considered on a case-by-case basis and rents are being increased above prescribed limits, as appropriate. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where supply issues are particularly acute, with plans underway to extend this arrangement to commuter areas over the coming weeks.
This flexible and targeted approach has assisted over 7,570 rent supplement households nationwide to retain or acquire rented accommodation through increased rental payments. A county breakdown of these cases is provided in the tabular statement for information.
Under the Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) scheme assistance may also be provided towards rent deposits or rent in advance. In 2015, the Department provided a total of 2,500 rent deposit payments at a cost of €1.4 million. From January to March this year, the Department has provided over 530 payments of rent deposits/rent in advance at a cost of approximately €330,000.
I believe this targeted approach and the recent legislative reforms announced to the private rental sector provide a level of stability for those who require rent supplement support in what has become a highly volatile rental market.
Total Increased Rental Payments & Active HAP Tenancies by County as at 18/04/2016
|
County |
Awards under National Tenancy Sustainment Framework |
Awards under protocol with Threshold |
Total no. of increased payments by County |
|
CARLOW |
35 |
35 |
|
|
CAVAN |
22 |
22 |
|
|
CLARE |
60 |
60 |
|
|
CORK |
349 |
73 |
422 |
|
DONEGAL |
- |
- |
|
|
DUBLIN |
3,003 |
1,958 |
4,961 |
|
GALWAY |
155 |
155 |
|
|
KERRY |
51 |
51 |
|
|
KILDARE |
353 |
353 |
|
|
KILKENNY |
127 |
127 |
|
|
LAOIS |
112 |
112 |
|
|
LEITRIM |
64 |
64 |
|
|
LIMERICK |
7 |
7 |
|
|
LONGFORD |
128 |
128 |
|
|
LOUTH |
122 |
122 |
|
|
MAYO |
3 |
3 |
|
|
MEATH |
294 |
294 |
|
|
MONAGHAN |
1 |
1 |
|
|
OFFALY |
60 |
60 |
|
|
ROSCOMMON |
24 |
24 |
|
|
SLIGO |
- |
- |
|
|
TIPPERARY |
165 |
165 |
|
|
WATERFORD |
39 |
39 |
|
|
WESTMEATH |
173 |
173 |
|
|
WEXFORD |
15 |
15 |
|
|
WICKLOW |
177 |
177 |
|
|
Overall Total |
5,539 |
2,031 |
7,570 |
