Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to carry out a general review of rent supplement payments in March 2012 with a view to a possible increase of the individual contribution from residents in receipt of this supplement. [2022/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1My Department has no plans to carry out a general review of rent supplement payments in March 2012.

Budget 2012 introduced changes to the rent supplement scheme. With effect from 1 January 2012 the minimum contribution payable by all tenants under the rent supplement scheme increased from €24 per week to €30 per week. In addition a higher rate minimum contribution of €35 per week was introduced for couples. This reflects the fact that couples have a higher income than one adult households.

New maximum rent limits also came into force on 1 January 2012. These new limits are in line with the most up to date market data available. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that value for money is achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.