Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

It will not happen within 18 months. Those who are stuck in the poverty trap of rent supplement should be treated in the same way as those who receive payments under the rental accommodation scheme. It is obvious that the experience of the rent supplement scheme was drawn on when the rental accommodation scheme was being established. In the case of the rental accommodation scheme, it was decided that rent payments would be made directly to the landlord. I have outlined several good reasons we should switch to such a system in the case of the rent supplement scheme. The Minister should not hide behind the argument that his responsibility is to the client. He is responsible for ensuring we have a viable private rental sector that serves vulnerable people. Such people would benefit from being able to avail of the terms which apply to the rental assistance scheme.

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