Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the eligibility for rent supplement to include issues such as the need not to participate in anti social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4717/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are currently approximately 71,500 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015. In the case of private rented accommodation, tenancy arrangements involve a contract between the landlord and the tenant. The Department has no contractual relationship with the landlord and tenant behaviour is a matter for the landlord in the first instance. There are a number of avenues open to landlords in such cases, including the mediation service for landlords and tenants operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board and/or recourse to the Garda Siochána and/or the Courts in relation to the enforcement of the law in dealing with anti-social or criminal behaviour. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 tenants are obliged not to behave within a dwelling, or in the vicinity of it, in a way that is anti-social. Landlords are obliged to enforce the tenant’s obligations, and may seek termination of a tenancy due to a tenant’s antisocial behaviour.

The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 provides the Department with the authority to refuse, suspend or terminate payment of a rent supplement in the case of a person who has been required to deliver up possession of a dwelling provided by a housing authority or an approved body where the reasons for that requirement include anti-social behaviour or the interests of good estate management.

The Department’s strategic position is to transfer responsibility of long term rent supplement tenancies from this Department to the housing authorities which will be delivered through the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). The Department is working closely with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and housing authorities to support the achievement of the targets of the HAP scheme as set out in the “Social Housing Strategy 2020: Support, Supply and Reform”.