Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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346. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she expects to review the caps for rent supplement in view of the increase in market rental prices which has become evident in the State, particularly in the Dublin area and surrounding commuter belt counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49308/13]

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 81,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement for which the Government has provided €403 million in 2013.

Revised rent limits under the rent supplement scheme have come into force with effect from Monday 17 June 2013 and will be in place until 31 December 2014. The new rent limits have been determined following an extensive review of the private rental market based on the most up-to-date data available. The Department currently funds up to 30% of the private rented sector so it is essential that the rent limits are kept under review. The new rent limits have been set using the 35th percentile ensuring that sufficient housing is available for recipients of the scheme.

Under the revised rent limits, there have been increases in the maximum rent limits in Dublin while there have been some reductions across a number of rural counties reflecting the conditions in the rental markets in those counties. Separate to the county limits, higher rent limits have also been provided for in the commuter areas of North Kildare and Bray.

There are properties available within the maximum rent limits for rent supplement recipients. Almost 30,000 persons in receipt of rent supplement reside in Dublin. When the commuter counties of Meath, Kildare, Wicklow and Louth are also included then a total of 41,000 persons are in receipt of rent supplement in this region.

Officials in the Department continue to examine the impact of the rent limits on those who claim rent supplement. It is planned that the next review of rent limits will take place before December 2014.