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Rent Supplement Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Ceisteanna (173, 174)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

173. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for rent supplement assessed since post-Covid-19 changes were made to the scheme; and the communication and outreach undertaken by her Department to advise persons that they were now eligible to apply for rent supplement (details supplied). [17744/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

174. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide updated operation guidelines for rent supplement provided to community welfare officers in circumstances in which rental costs exceed 2016 limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17745/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,572 recipients.

The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Since the introduction of the Government’s Covid emergency response approximately 7,100 customers have been provided with rent supplement support; in addition, there are some 945 pending applications awaiting a decision or in the process of providing the necessary documentation to the officer dealing with the claim.

In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, the Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case flexible payment policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. To date, approximately 15,900 cases have been provided additional flexible payment arrangements, i.e. have received support in excess of the prevailing 2016 rent limits.

In the context of the Covid emergency, for persons to be eligible for Rent Supplement, once it has been confirmed that they are a bona fide tenant, the two standing qualification criteria apply:

- The customer was in receipt of Rent Supplement in the last 12 months before the date of application; or,

- The customer was living in private rented accommodation prior to the Covid emergency (at least 4 weeks), could afford their rent at the beginning of the tenancy and were now unable to continue to pay the rent because of a substantial change in their circumstances.

The principal underlying criteria for access to the Scheme have not changed: an applicant receiving a primary social welfare payment or reduced income with an identifiable rental commitment can apply. Rent supplement’s core customer message remains in line with previous policy, and is supported by the existing customer information available explaining the Scheme’s objectives and criteria. Where a tenant approaches the Department for support towards their rental commitments, the application will be considered by the officer dealing with their case.

The overarching Covid-19 response in the case of rent supplement is to provide a flexible case-by-case driven solution for customers, providing temporary income support during the emergency for their housing costs. The scheme has not fundamentally changed, and I am satisfied that the appropriate information is available to both officers and the general public with respect to the scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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