Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will now discuss issues pertaining to rent supplement. I draw witnesses' attention to the fact that, by virtue of 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Their opening statements will be published on the committee website later today.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Mobile telephones must be switched off completely or switched to safe or flight mode, as they could otherwise interfere with the broadcasting services.

Rent supplement comes within the remit of this committee. It is paid by the Department of Social Protection to the lowest-income households to help them meet the cost of housing. A total of 71,500 households, including 24,000 in Dublin, are in receipt of rent supplement. It is one of a number of measures aimed at addressing housing issues. A number of households have transferred from rent supplement to the housing assistance payment, and a further 6,000 households are on the rental assistance scheme.

To assist our consideration of rent supplement, we are joined by Mr. Pat Doyle and Mr. Brian Friel from the Peter McVerry Trust; Mr. Ashley Balbirnie and Mr. Mike Allen from Focus Ireland; and Ms Helen Faughnan, Ms Jackie Harrington and Mr. Carl O'Rourke from the Department of Social Protection. I invite Mr. Friel to make his opening presentation on behalf of the Peter McVerry trust.