Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has only been awarded rent supplement from 15 November 2010 when the person made their application from October; if the person is entitled to a deposit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5345/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In order to qualify for rent supplement an applicant must normally be in receipt of a social welfare payment. The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned has been awarded rent supplement from 15 November 2010, the date from which her jobseekers benefit commenced.

An exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential once-off cost, such as a payment of a rent deposit, which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment and each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case taking account of the nature and extent of the need. Such payments are confined to occurrences which the Executive considers to be unexpected, unforeseen or exceptional. If the person concerned wishes to make an application for an exceptional needs payment she should contact the Executive.