Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendment. We are trying to give legislative provision for regulations and strengthen the legal basis for those regulations. The section provides for amendments to the legislative provisions and we feel they are necessary for both the rent supplement and mortgage interest supplement. Regulations already set out the maximum rent levels that apply to rent supplement, having regard to the family size, the location of the premises and the period to which the limits apply. The primary legislation is being amended to provide for the making of regulations to specify the maximum amount of rent supplement payable having regard to family circumstances and the location of the residence in respect of which the rent supplement is payable. It is a technical amendment to strengthen the legal base for the relevant regulations.

The section also contains provisions to make regulations setting out the conditions and circumstances under which the mortgage interest supplement can be paid and the duration of the payment. It shall be limited to the amount the HSE determines appropriate but the HSE must have regard to the family circumstances of the person concerned, as well as the other conditions as prescribed in the regulations governing mortgage interest supplement. This is not to disadvantage people but to give a legal basis for the regulations which have been made.

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