Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons on RAS tenancies in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 13 December 2018
Ceisteanna (219)
Freagraí scríofa
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) was introduced in 2005 to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who were assessed as having a long-term housing need.
A total of €134.3 million was allocated to support RAS in 2018 and this funding is going towards supporting 600 additional RAS tenancies nationally in 2018 and the ongoing cost of supporting continuing RAS contracts in place at the end of 2017. As of 30 September 2018, there were a total of 906 tenancies supported by RAS in County Kerry, and of this number, 45 were new transfers from Rent Supplement to RAS in the period 1 January to 30 September 2018.
Looking forward, as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme continues to be rolled out nationally and replaces Rent Supplement completely for those with a long-term housing need, it is expected that the number of new transfers to RAS will reduce considerably.
RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support, and remains a significant part of the suite of options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of social housing.