Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 755: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position of an application for supplementary rent allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2067/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has confirmed that it has received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned in January 2008 in respect of a new residence. The Executive has advised that a decision on the claim requires an assessment of a housing need, provided by the relevant local housing authority, in respect of the person concerned.

In order to qualify for a rent supplement a person must satisfy the Health Service Executive that he/she has a housing need which he/she cannot meet from his or her own resources and must apply to the local housing authority for an assessment of housing needs, if requested to do so by the Health Service Executive.

Once the applicant is assessed by a housing authority as having a housing need, entitlement to rent supplement will be examined subject to the other qualifying conditions of the scheme.