Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 39: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give details of his plans for reform of the rent supplement scheme when it comes under his Department's control and any minimum standards he hopes to introduce. [22181/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government recently announced its decision in principle to support proposals to transfer responsibility for households in receipt of rent supplement, but with an established long-term social housing need, from the Department of Social Protection to the housing authorities. Housing authorities will provide this service using a new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). This joint proposal, between the two Departments, reflects a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the operation of the rent supplement scheme due to concerns over the evolution of rent supplement from a short-term income support into a long-term housing support. It was also one of the key reforms announced in my Department's Housing Policy Statement in June 2011.

The detail of the proposed transfer and any standards or criteria to be introduced are in the process of being developed and agreed through an established Steering Group, chaired by my Department, and a number of specific working groups. It is hoped, however, that the proposals will deliver a number of benefits for householders, the State and housing authorities, including:

· enabling job take-up by tenants who have been caught by poverty traps until now;

· allowing local authorities more flexibility in assisting those in need of social housing support;

· providing greater security of tenure for tenants, greater stability in the private rented market and contributing towards the creation of a higher quality, private rented sector through improved standards;

· providing a more integrated and streamlined service for households seeking support from the State to meet housing costs;

· delivering value for money for the taxpayer for the resources invested.

The proposed reform of the rent supplement scheme constitutes a major development in the provision of housing services and will require careful planning and consultation with interested parties. I hope to be in a position to announce further details of the new arrangements later in the year.