Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 108, 125, 131 and 141 together.

There are currently approximately 89,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement, for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012. Revised rent limits are applicable to new rent supplement tenancies from January 2012 and existing tenancies on review. These limits were set up after an analysis of the most up-to-date market data available. Special provisions can be made in exceptional circumstances, including, for example, people with disabilities in specially adapted accommodation or homeless persons.

With regard to the specific case referred to by Deputies Halligan and Pringle, I understand the person concerned contacted the Department regarding his entitlement to rent supplement on 7 November 2012. According to the information available to the Department, the person is not known to be homeless, nor is he known to be residing in a homeless unit in the Dún Laoghaire area. I presume the earlier reference to evidence refers to the recently published report by Focus Ireland, Out of Reach: The Impact of Changes in Rent Supplement. I remarked earlier that this was based on a small sample of ten cases out of approximately 89,000 who have been granted rent supplement. Approximately 42,000 of these cases were negotiated since the changes in rent supplement were implemented. Department officials continue to liaise with regard to the particular circumstances in the case of the individual referred to. I understand he is a separated person and that the family home will be sold in several years' time. He was on illness benefit but, as I understand it, the illness benefit ran out. The person has made other applications to the Department and is currently receiving payment from the Department in respect of a basic income supplement.

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