Dáil debates
Thursday, 14 November 2013
Topical Issue Debate
Rent Supplement Scheme Administration
5:40 pm
Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I am dealing with on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs, and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The overall aim is to provide short-term assistance and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer.
There are currently approximately 81,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement, for which the Government has provided €403 million in 2013. Revised rent limits under the rent supplement scheme have come into force with effect from Monday, 17 June 2013, and will be in place until 31 December 2014. The new rent limits have been determined following an extensive review of the private rental market, based on the most up-to-date data available. The Department currently funds approximately 30% of the private rented sector so it is essential that the rent limits are kept under review. The new rent limits have been set using the 35th percentile, ensuring that sufficient housing is available for recipients of the scheme. There have been increases in the maximum rent limits in Dublin and Galway, while there have been some reductions across a number of rural counties, reflecting the conditions in the rental markets in those counties. Separate to the county limits, higher rent limits have been provided for in the north Kildare and Bray areas. Special provisions are made in exceptional circumstances, including, for example, people with disabilities in specially adapted accommodation or homeless persons. The overall cost of the rent limit review for 2013 is around €7 million, which can be met from within the existing provision for the scheme.
Analysis shows that there are properties available within the maximum rent limits for rent supplement recipients, including in County Kildare. However, the number of rental properties available in north Kildare including Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock and Celbridge, is significantly lower than the numbers available in the rest of the county and, therefore, has an impact on the number of accommodation units available for rent supplement. Latest figures show that there are over 1,000 rent supplement recipients in the north Kildare area, indicating that it is possible to secure accommodation in these locations within the rent limits.
Department officials dealing with rent supplement tenants will continue to ensure that their accommodation needs are met and that the residence is reasonably suited to their residential and other needs. The Department, through its work in the homeless persons unit, provides assistance to people in sourcing the most appropriate accommodation available. In addition, prison and hospital in-reach services are provided to explore accommodation options and, where necessary, liaise with local authorities to identify and source the most appropriate accommodation available for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This ensures that where possible, people are diverted away from homeless services and towards community-based supports. Department officials will continue to monitor the impact of the revised rent limits.
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