Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
452. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent allowance is being paid to persons who live in mobile homes; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme providing support to 10,118 recipients at the end of September 2022.
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 those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Social welfare legislation is specific in relation to the type of residence for which a rent supplement may be provided under statutory Instrument No. 412 of 2007 and requires a bona fide tenancy agreement under section 198 (3FA) Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector, including tenancies in AHB’s and co-living dwellings, and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Under Section 4(1) of this Act the definition of a “dwelling excludes a structure that is not permanently attached to the ground and a vessel and a vehicle (whether mobile or not)."
It is the Department’s view that a mobile home is excluded from the definition of a building or a dwelling and as such it is not possible to pay rent supplement in respect of such a structure.
Information on the type of residence of rent supplement recipients is not collated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
