Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support has not been provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39970/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned has been refused higher rent supplement to cover accommodation for himself and his child as the child is primarily accommodated with his mother and his housing need has already been met. This refusal has been upheld by the HSE appeals office.

While the person concerned would qualify for rent supplement at the single rate for self-contained accommodation in Kildare, he has not provided any documentation to indicate that the rent has ever been reduced to that rate. Throughout the application process, the person concerned has only ever provided the Department with one lease which stated that the rent was €700.00 per month whereas the approved rent limit is €400.00 per month .

If the person concerned wishes to appeal this decision, he must appeal directly to the Chief Appeals Officer who functions independently of the Department. An appeal can be sent in writing to Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, D’Olier St, Dublin 2.