Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 786: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in receipt of back to education allowance has to obtain a rent subsidy payment for a housing association apartment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15171/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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In the case of family-type accommodation provided by approved voluntary and co-operative housing bodies, under my Department's Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), tenants are drawn from the local authority housing waiting list and rents are largely based on the local authority Differential Rents Schemes. Under the CLSS the application of the rent formula as set out in the scheme may be modified, at the discretion of the approved housing body, in particular respects where they consider this appropriate. Rent payable under the scheme by a tenant to an approved housing body is based on household income in the previous tax year. Where this would result in hardship arising from a fall in income due to loss of employment, disability etc, the rent may be adjusted accordingly.

In the case of accommodation provided under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), which is aimed at persons with special housing needs such as older people, the homeless or persons with an intellectual or physical disability, rents are charged at a reasonable rate having regard to tenants' income. In cases where an approved housing body contributes a minimum of 5% of the capital cost of a CAS funded project, the approved body may retain nomination rights, outside of the local authority waiting list, for up to 25% of the units. In these circumstances, the normal landlord/tenant arrangements apply, including in relation to rent, and tenants in receipt of a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment may also qualify for a rent supplement from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

My Department understands that the approved housing body in this case will review the tenancy arrangements with the person concerned to ensure that the appropriate rent formula is applied.