Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 10, line 35, after "number" to insert "and a tax clearance certificate".

These two amendments and the following couple all relate to the payment of rent supplement. Rent supplement probably is the area of social welfare that is crying out most for reform. The manner in which it operates at present poses the greatest poverty trap to people in receipt of social welfare. There has been much loose talk recently about the welfare system, people being incentivised to remain in receipt of welfare and how it does not pay them to take up work. However, this is not the case as the vast majority of people would be better off moving from welfare to work. Approximately 7% of jobseekers are in receipt of rent supplement and for people in such circumstances, it is not worth their while to take up a job. This is because of the manner in which rent supplement is withdrawn if someone goes to work. Consequently, if the Minister was serious about removing the disincentives and encouraging people from welfare to work, this issue should have had his immediate intention. It certainly appears as though he probably will not have a chance to do anything about that now-----

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