Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The rent supplement scheme has become an integral part of our housing strategy. Figures made available by the Department of Social and Family Affairs indicate that a substantial number of people participate in the scheme for at least 18 months, which is a significant period. I welcome the Minister's decision to review the limits which apply to the scheme. They need to be reviewed on an ongoing basis as the rental market fluctuates. I await the outcome of the Minister's review in July. We need to deal with the issue of top-up payments. If those who are asked to make such payments do not do so, they will have nowhere to live. If they make payments they cannot afford, they will be pushed further into poverty. That is the difficulty they face, in effect. I understand that such payments are illegal. We need to find a solution that ensures such payments are no longer demanded. As we do not have accurate figures for the scale of this problem, we have to rely on what people are telling us. I am concerned that it is quite widespread. The most vulnerable people in our society are being given very little choice. I ask the Minister to comment specifically on that point. I have spoken previously about the cost of paying in advance, rather than in arrears.

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