Written answers

Wednesday, 10 May 2006

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Benefits

9:00 pm

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that no rent subsidies or allowances are paid directly or indirectly to the landlords of properties (details supplied) in Dublin 3 upon which fire safety notices have been served requiring the landlord to vacate the buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17632/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in relation to decisions on individual claims.

In deciding entitlement to rent supplement the Executive must satisfy itself in relation to a number of conditions including that the property being rented is reasonably suited to the tenants needs. The Executive may consider that a property is not suited to a tenants needs if for example the accommodation does not comply with the Housing Regulations (Standards for Rented Housing), 1993.

The Executive has advised that following discussions with the tenants and a consultation with Dublin City Council's Fire Officer it became aware of breaches of fire safety regulations in respect of the properties in question on the 4th May 2006. It has further advised that it has had discussions with the tenants in the properties in question in relation to the alternative accommodation options and that it is in the process of suspending the payment of any rent supplement claims pending the resolution of the fire safety issues.

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