Ms Jackie Harrington:

It is acknowledged that supply is the key issue at the moment in terms of rent supplement. The recent daft.iereport shows that availability is at its lowest level since 2006. It is acknowledged that rent supplement in and of itself will not resolve the issue of supply but the Department is doing its best to alleviate the immediate issues customers are facing. Further, the increased payments we are providing - the 4,900 - apply to both existing and new applicants. We are providing increased payments which are over the limit to new applicants. This covers people, for example, who leave the direct provision system.

Landlords refusing to take people as tenants was also mentioned. We hope the housing package announced last week by the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, in particular the increase in mortgage interest relief for landlords who commit to accommodate customers in receipt of State support under rent supplement and HAP for a period of up to three years, will go some way towards addressing that issue. The housing assistance payment limits have also been increased as part of the announcement last week by the Minister to facilitate discretion along the lines of that of the community welfare service in local authorities.

The Deputy asked if the Department of Justice and Equality pays an equivalent of rent to the Department of Social Protection-----