Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether it is correct that persons who work more than thirty hours a week are not entitled to rent supplement; the proposals he has brought forward at Government level to help resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27640/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to assist people who are unable to provide for their immediate accommodation needs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.

In General, people in full-time employment are not entitled to rent supplement. For this purpose, full-time employment is regarded as 30 hours per week or more. However, people accepted by local authorities as eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme may now take up full-time, and still receive rent supplement, subject to the standard means test. This measure was introduced in June 2007 to provide a progressive support in the transition from welfare to work.

I am satisfied that the scheme as currently structured is targeted as those who most need support. In that regard I do not consider that a universal extension of the scheme to those in employment for more than 30 hours is warranted at this point in time.