Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the levels of anti-social behaviour activities being exercised by certain tenants in receipt of rental supplements; if there are plans to give powers or responsibilities to community welfare officers in relation to the social behaviour of tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the Health Service Executive, provides for the payment of a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of rent to eligible persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation needs. In order to qualify for rent supplement a person must satisfy a number of conditions including; the person must be a bona fide tenant, must be habitually resident, must have a housing need and must satisfy a means test. In addition, the Executive must be satisfied that the accommodation is suited to the persons needs and the rent payable is within the prescribed limits.

In the case of private rent accommodation anti social behaviour by a tenant is a matter for the landlord in the first instance. There are a number of avenues open to landlords in such cases, including the mediation service for landlords and tenants operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board. If necessary, the landlord may seek termination of the tenancy which, if effected, would result in the termination of rent supplement. Since 1997 Social Welfare legislation provides the Health Service Executive with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body where the reasons for that requirement include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate management.

I am satisfied that these existing measures are adequate and I have no plans to make any changes to the social welfare legislation in this regard.