Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

In general, there is no limit or restriction on the proportion or number who may receive rent supplement in an area. However, section 25 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 provides that payment of rent supplement can be refused in respect of accommodation situated in an area notified to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as being an area of regeneration. This provision is aimed at supporting Government investment in regeneration and attaining a good social mix between private, social and affordable and voluntary housing. The measures provided for in section 25 are not to be seen as a blanket refusal of rent supplement in areas of regeneration. Specific provision is made to ensure people already residing in such areas and in receipt of rent supplement can continue to receive payment. People already residing in such areas in rental accommodation and who may have recourse to rent supplement in the future would not have their entitlement restricted.

As I stated during the course of the debate on this amendment on Committee Stage, I will speak to my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to see if we can extend the designations under the scheme. The programme for Government includes commitments to reduce long-term reliance on rent supplement. This would be done mainly by keeping the standard means test for rent supplement under review to provide enhanced financial incentives for people taking up employment and providing long-term housing solutions under the rental accommodation scheme, RAS.

I intend to keep the rent supplement scheme under review. My Department is working closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in ensuring the RAS meets its objective of catering for those in receipt of long-term rent supplement, while enabling the rent supplement scheme to return to its original role of providing short-term income support.

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