John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, applicants receive rent supplement on the basis that they have no other source of accommodation available to them. Otherwise, they would not be able to afford rental accommodation. The point is that in some areas throughout the country, rents have increased dramatically. It is incorrect to state it may only have increased in Dublin, Cork, Wicklow or wherever. Rents have increased in Waterford. All of the evidence is there from both the PRTB and the Department of Social Protection but yet, the limit has stayed as it is. All this is doing to many young couples is to force them into poverty, because they need some place to stay. They are not going to get onto the housing list - there are far too many people on that list - and inevitably must try to find rented accommodation. Yet, on an income that is nearly €130 less than in many other areas of the country, they are being asked to find such accommodation. My final point is it is €475 per month. While one can try to argue this with the Department, its representatives will reply these are the limits on which they have been told to work, namely, €475 per month. I have tried to do this, as have other Deputies and politicians in Waterford. It is not working and the Minister must change the rent allowance.

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