Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 181: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the stipulations which private landlords must satisfy in order to be awarded rent allowance for the rent of their properties. [5243/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

Entitlement to rent supplement rests with the tenant, not the landlord. Payment is normally made to the tenant, although a person who is awarded rent supplement may nominate his or her landlord as being the person to whom the payment should issue.

In determining entitlement to rent supplement the executive generally seeks confirmation from the landlord regarding the address of the accommodation being rented, the number of proposed tenants and the level of rent being sought.

General responsibility for enforcing both housing standards and housing registration regulations relating to rented accommodation is a matter for the local authorities. However, the executive may consider that a property is not suited to an applicant's needs if the accommodation does not comply with legislative standards.

It is not a requirement of the rent supplement scheme that the landlord is registered with the relevant local authority. However, under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, landlords are obliged to register tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB. A wide-ranging information campaign was undertaken to promote the introduction of the new board and the requirement of landlords to register. It is a matter for the PRTB to ensure that landlords comply with the requirements of that Act.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the receipt of the rent allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Subject to certain conditions, rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

The southern region of the Health Service Executive has advised that it has no record of an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. If he wishes to apply he should contact the community welfare officer at his local health centre for an assessment of his circumstances and eligibility.