Claire Kerrane
Ceist:429. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of providing rent supplement to survivors of domestic violence in 2020. [33524/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 June 2021
Ceisteanna (429)
Freagraí scríofa
Lead responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
In August 2020, I agreed a protocol with Tusla on a pilot basis involving a referral process through Safe Ireland and other service providers resulting in changes to the rent supplement scheme to make it more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence on a pilot basis. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties. The protocol was introduced in the context of the current pandemic and I have provided that the protocol will remain in place until the end of this year at which time it will be reviewed.
Under the protocol, after six months of support, it is expected that the customer will, if eligible, be able to migrate to HAP or other social housing supports supported by their local authority. The arrangements in this protocol are additional and complementary to, and not a substitution for, the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.
A total of 46 victims of domestic violence availed of support under this protocol in 2020, the cost of which was approximately €73,000.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.