Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
142. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will temporarily cease rent supplement reviews in which rent has been increased and the recipient is being advised to seek alternative or cheaper accommodation, given the current housing crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation. The scheme was providing support to 11,771 recipients at the end of April 2022. The rent supplement 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. Since the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment, rent supplement is reverting to its original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy costs while they seek alternative employment. Responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to those with a long-term housing need remains with local authorities.
Staff in my Department are engaged with customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their claim, including regular reviews for all schemes on an ongoing basis. A person’s entitlement to a social welfare payment is reviewed to ensure that they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme. A person’s means may also be reviewed from time to time. A customer may also request a review of their means in the light of changed circumstances at any time.
During a review of a rent supplement claim, the Community Welfare Services Officers will engage with a claimant to establish their continued eligibility for the scheme as quickly as possible and limit any delay to payments. This review may involve consideration of a long term social housing need and a possible referral to the local authority for a housing needs assessment and/or consideration for a Housing Assistance Payment.
If suitable alternative rental accommodation is available to meet the accommodation needs of the household at less cost, a person receiving rent supplement may be asked to consider same if the rent on the existing property has increased. If no alternative suitable accommodation is available, the household will continue to be supported on Rent Supplement.
My Department also continues to provide supports to tenants towards rent deposits and rent in advance under the Exceptional Needs Payment Scheme.
If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case, he should bring the details to the attention of the Department and my officials will follow up with them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
