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

I thank the Deputy. The primary responsibility for the delivery of housing rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is taking new measures to put in place additional accommodation to mitigate the impact of the end of the eviction ban.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make additional needs payments to help to meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. The scheme is demand-led and there is no budget cap. Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance, including persons experiencing difficulty resulting from the ending of the eviction ban.

This support is not restricted to those already on a social welfare payment and may also be available to those working on a low income. For homeless households or households at immediate risk of homelessness, who have a long-term housing need, a homeless housing assistance payment place finder service is operated by the local authorities. This service provides assistance by sourcing suitable accommodation and by providing access to the payment of a deposit and advance rent on behalf of the tenant.

I encourage any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment to contact their local community welfare service. There is a national community welfare contact centre in place on 0818-607080, which will direct callers to the appropriate office. I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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