Dáil debates

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Departmental Schemes

9:40 am

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.

In August of last year I agreed a protocol with Tusla on a pilot basis to make rent supplement more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties. The arrangements in this protocol are additional and complementary to, and not a substitution for, the range of other supports already in place for victims of domestic violence.

The co-ordination of the services addressing the needs of these customers is managed by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. The accommodation needs of victims of domestic violence are met through this joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

Under the protocol, access to rent supplement can be provided on referral from Tusla or by a prescribed Tusla-funded service provider. Rent supplement is provided for an initial three-month period without the standard means test being applied. Financial assistance can also be provided to assist the customer with a rent deposit or towards the cost of rent in advance. After the initial three months have passed, a further three-month extension can be made under the protocol subject to the standard means assessment and eligibility criteria of the scheme. Under the protocol, after six months of support, it is expected that the customer will, if eligible, be able to migrate to the housing assistance payment or other social housing supports, supported by his or her local authority. A total of 140 recipients have availed of support under this protocol since August 2020. There are currently 52 victims of domestic violence being supported with rent supplement under these arrangements.

In line with the national economic recovery plan, these special arrangements for victims of domestic abuse will remain in place until the end of 2021 at least. A review of the pilot is under way. It is a good scheme. We need to support women who become homeless because of domestic violence, and I want to see the scheme continued.

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