Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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46. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if, in advance of the transfer of the administration of the rental supplement scheme to local authorities, he has consulted with the Department of Social Protection on the issue of allowing local authorities leeway in determining differential rental caps within their respective cities/counties; his plans to follow this model to cater for substantial differences in market rental rates within counties such as Wicklow, Meath and Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27979/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Until the transfer of responsibility for long-term rent supplement recipients to local authorities takes place the setting of rent limits under the rent supplement scheme remains the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection. The details of the proposed Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme are currently being developed by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection, the County and City Managers Association and other relevant stakeholders.

It is envisaged under the proposed HAP Scheme that local authorities would set appropriate rent limits for their functional areas. The process of how such limits will be set and any consultation required in determining them will be developed in due course, and agreed by Government.