Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent claim made by a group (details supplied), that the rent supplement scheme is forcing the poorest and most vulnerable tenants to live in grossly degrading conditions in substandard bedsits; his response to their claims; his plans for a review of the scheme in view of the points raised by the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15188/07]

Séamus 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 (HSE). The purpose of the scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. Eligibility is in general confined to those who are in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment. There are currently over 59,000 tenants benefiting from assistance under the rent supplement scheme.

As the Deputy is aware, the current social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, contains a commitment that standards regulations in the private rented sector will be updated and effectively enforced. While responsibility for enforcing housing standards regulation is a matter for the local authorities, I consider that the accommodation occupied by rent supplement tenants should at least meet these housing standards regulations. In this regard, having consulted with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government I introduced regulations in October 2006 and primary legislation in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007 that allows the Health Service Executive to refuse rent supplement where it has been notified by a housing authority regarding the non-compliance with housing standards prescribed in regulations made under Section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1992.

I believe that these changes will support the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government's Action Programme on private rented standards which involves a range of measures to promote further improvement in private rented accommodation standards, including more effective enforcement.

Where such a notification is received from a housing authority in respect of an existing tenant on rent supplement it is recommended that the Executive would discuss the situation with the tenant and take whatever action it decides is necessary in the best interests of the tenant.

For example, the tenant may transfer to alternative accommodation either with the support of rent supplement or under the local authority's rental accommodation scheme. Once the existing tenant has moved out of the sub-standard accommodation, rent supplement will not be paid in respect of that accommodation. For example, the tenant may transfer to alternative accommodation either with the support of rent supplement or under the local authority's rental accommodation scheme. Once the existing tenant has moved out of the sub-standard accommodation, rent supplement will not be paid in respect of that accommodation unless and until it has upgraded to fully comply with standard regulations. I am satisfied that this approach addresses the issue of rent supplement being paid in respect of sub-standard accommodation in a manner that maximises the support provided to tenants in this situation. The other main point made by the group to which the Deputy refers is that the maximum rent limits which apply in the scheme should be increased.

Rent supplements are subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant for rent supplement may incur. The current limits were introduced in January 2007, for 18 month period, following an extensive review of limits. The purpose of the review was to ensure that the new rent limits reflect realistic market conditions throughout the country, to enable the different categories of eligible tenant households to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation to meet their respective needs.

The review entailed a broad consultation process, taking account of prevailing rent levels in the private rental sector generally, including an analysis of the "Private Rented Index" produced by the Central Statistics Office. The Department consulted with Health Service Executive, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) including an analysis of actual rents paid by over 90,000 tenants as notified to the PRTB. In addition the Department contacted various voluntary bodies that have an interest in this area for their views on any changes, either upward or downward, of any individual rent level.

This review resulted in upward adjustments in rent limits in 13 counties in respect of one adult households. It also increased rent limits for other family sizes. There was no reduction in rent limits. I consider that the current limits are reasonable and that no useful purpose would be served by increasing them as it would only lead to a general increase in rents charged.