Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of landlords in receipt of rent allowance nationally; the annual cost to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7503/12]

Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount of moneys paid annually to landlords, for rent allowance in the Ennis area, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7504/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.

Rent supplement provides 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.

Under the legislative provisions governing rent supplement, the Department's relationship is with the tenant; the tenant makes the application for rent supplement and payment is in general made to the tenant and not to the landlord. Rent supplement is specifically for the benefit of tenants to assist them with their accommodation needs. There is no direct relationship between the landlord and the Department in the administration of the scheme.

The number of persons claiming rent supplement increased from almost 60,200 persons in 2005 to over 96,800 as at end 2011, a 61% increase. The number of recipients for Clare during the same period rose from 1,233 to 1,961, a 59% increase.

Since 2005, rent supplement expenditure has increased from €369 million to a provisional outturn of €503 million in 2011. Information on expenditure by county is not available.