Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding rent increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6024/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Rents Unit which administers the claim for rent supplement for the person concerned received a letter from him on 4 February 2015, which stated that his rent has increased from €880.00 per calendar month to €1280.00 per calendar month. This rent is above the maximum rent rate of €950.00 per calendar month for his family circumstance. The person concerned has been advised to contact the National Housing Charity, Threshold, under the Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol (ITSP). The purpose of the ITSP, which involves this Department, the 4 Dublin Local Authorities and Threshold, is to ensure a speedy intervention preventing families who are in receipt of rent supplement from losing their tenancies and becoming homeless.

Following his engagement with Threshold, it will submit a recommendation to this Department regarding the rent supplement claim for the person concerned. This may involve a temporary uplift in the his rate of payment for a period of 13 weeks while the Local Authority and Threshold are considering alternative housing options for his family. Following this his claim would be further reviewed.

In the meantime payments of rent supplement for the person concerned will continue at the present rate pending the Department receiving contact from Threshold.