Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if further consideration can be given to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is now homeless due to their inability to meet rent demands and the fact that existing rent support was short of requirements; if such cases which have resulted in homelessness merit any special attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15931/14]

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. Following an extensive review of the private rental market new revised rent limits were introduced and came into effect on 17 June 2013, consequently, clients with rents over these limits are expected to bring their rent within the set limits or source alternative accommodation.

In this case, the client was provided with in excess of the statutory requirement of 13 weeks to bring her rent within the set limits applicable to her circumstances, or source alternative accommodation within the rent limit. Departmental records show the client is still residing at this address though she is no longer in receipt of a rent allowance. When the client secures alternative accommodation within the limits she should reapply for rent supplement and her case will be expedited accordingly.