Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the reports of increases in rents since the start of 2012; if the rents limit review to be undertaken by her Department will take place sooner than the next review proposed for June 2013 [50123/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term 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. 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 approximately 89,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012.

The State plays a major role in the private rental market through the rent supplement scheme. As the Department currently funds approximately 30% of the private rented sector it is essential that State support for rents are kept under review and reflect current market conditions.

Revised maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012 and are in place until June 2013. The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.

The Department will continue to monitor rent levels throughout the country but at this point I have no immediate plans to revise the existing rent limits.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which maximum rent support levels are being determined in respect of persons eligible for such support in lieu of local authority housing; the factors taken into account in determining the upper cost of rental accommodation throughout the regions; the way variations at such levels are determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50134/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term 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. 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 approximately 89,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided €436 million in 2012.

New maximum rent limits came into force on 1 January 2012 and are in place until June 2013. These new limits were set after an analysis of the most up to date market data available. For all counties, major urban population centres were tested as part of the rents review to ensure that rent supplement applicants can access temporary housing arrangements whilst seeking employment opportunities. The focus of the review was primarily based on ensuring an adequate level of housing stock is available, using the 40th percentile as the basis for establishing rent limits.

The emphasis of the rent limit review was to ensure that maximum value for money for tenants and the taxpayer was achieved whilst at the same time ensuring that people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation.

The full report of the review of maximum rent limits is available on the Department’s website at

Officials in the Department continue to monitor the impact of the rent limits on those who claim rent supplement.