Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for rent support received in her Department or through the Health Service Executive in each of the past two years to date; the number approved, refused or pending; the average length of time taken to process applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44868/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are currently approximately 90,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided €436 million for 2012.

Statistics are not available on the number of rent supplement applications received for the past two years or the outcome of those applications. Attached is a tabular statement outlining the number of rent supplement claims awarded during each of the past two years.

The timescale for determining applications is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant’s income, bank statements, etc. In addition, some aspects of the application are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where investigations such as home visits or third party evidence are required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.

The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department’s staff dealing with applications. However, this is tempered by the necessity to ensure that every case is fully investigated and that all cases are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner. While statistics are not available on the average length of time taken to assess rent supplement, Department staff dealing with these applications make every effort to ensure claims are processed in an efficient manner.

TABULAR STATEMENT

Details of claims awarded in 2010 to 2012: