James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford was not paid rent in December 2008 and January, February and March 2009 in respect of a tenant who was in receipt of rent allowance and could get no satisfaction from the local welfare office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21429/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The purpose of the rent supplement 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.

The tenant makes the application for rent supplement and the Department's relationship is with the tenant. Payment is made to the tenant and is specifically for the benefit of the tenant to assist them with their accommodation needs. Where the Executive becomes aware that a person receiving rent supplement is not using that supplement to meet housing costs, payment of the supplement is stopped. Payment of rent supplement can only be made direct to a landlord or landlord's agent at a tenant's request.

Disputes arising between landlords and tenants can be referred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board for either mediation or adjudication as chosen by the parties.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average cost of each unemployment claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21444/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The average weekly payment for those in receipt of Jobseeker's benefit is €240.66 and €238.83 for those in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. Jobseeker's Benefit is based on paid PRSI contributions while jobseeker's allowance is a means tested payment. The figures quoted include increases for qualified adults and children where appropriate. These figures are based on those who are fully unemployed and do not take into account those who are on a reduced working week or those availing of the Back to Education Allowance scheme.