Written answers

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Benefits

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she hopes to have an opportunity to undertake checks to eliminate hardship arising from decisions taken by her predecessor in respect of reductions in payment levels arising from the memorandum of understanding; if she expects to be in a position to address any emerging or further disadvantage in the case of Budget 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20637/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the reductions in the weekly rates of social welfare payments for people of working age, which were introduced by the last Government in Budgets 2010 and 2011. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to maintain social welfare rates. In Budget 2012, the Government endeavoured to protect the vulnerable and at the same time secure the long term financial viability of the social protection system. In this regard I was able to ensure that the primary weekly rates of social welfare were fully protected.

Given the scale of the fiscal crisis and given that spending on social protection accounts for nearly 40% of current Government expenditure, savings have to be found in the social welfare system in Budget 2013. Any changes to the current rates of primary weekly social welfare payments will have to be considered in this context.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that changes to the awarding of rent supplement will be made in the near future; if she intends to change the system whereby, outside of Dublin, rent supplement rates are set on a county basis to a new system which will reflect the large differences in average market rents which exist within counties; if there is a timeframe for the delivery of any such planned changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20349/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term income support to eligible tenants 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 overall aim is to provide short term assistance, and not to act as an alternative to the other social housing schemes operated by the Exchequer. There are currently approximately 95,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement, with €436m provided in 2012. Rent Supplement is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable eligible households to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the state. While the maximum rent limits are generally set at county level, staff administering rent supplement have always had the authority to set levels lower than those provided for in regulations. This allows for lower rent levels to apply in certain locations within counties reflecting local market conditions.

I have no plans at present to change the way in which rent supplement is awarded.

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