Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Rent supplement is administered on my behalf by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Rent supplement is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable the different eligible household types to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the State. The objective is to ensure that rent supplement is not paid in respect of overly expensive accommodation having regard to the size of the household.

The Health Service Executive has advised that while no formal decision has been made, the person concerned was informed that she was unlikely to qualify for rent supplement as her rent was substantially in excess of the rent limits prescribed for a person in her circumstances.

Not withstanding these limits, under existing arrangements the HSE may, in certain circumstances, exceed the rent limits. The person was advised that the community welfare officer would consider payment of rent supplement for a short period of time, subject to her sourcing alternative accommodation within the prescribed rent limits. She has not followed up on this proposal.