Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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150. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing rent support for recipients living in areas affected by higher rent markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19397/13]

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 currently approximately 86,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013. A review of the maximum rent limits is currently underway and will be completed by June 2013. Analysis of recent reports has shown that rents have increased in some urban areas with rental asking rates falling in others. Any changes to the existing limits will be considered as part of this review.