Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the most recent comprehensive rent study that shows the highest year-on-year rent increases occurring in County Kildare (details supplied), and that such increases have increased pressure on an already critical number of persons struggling to attain accommodation within rent supplement limits; the measures she is proposing to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9336/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are currently approximately 70,700 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015.

I am aware of the contents of the report “The Daft.ie Rental Report An analysis of recent trends in the Irish rental market 2014 - Year in Review” and the difficulties people are experiencing in maintaining affordable rented accommodation in areas of high demand in the current market, including areas of County Kildare. The Department has undertaken a review of the maximum rent limits and raising rent limits may not be the solution to the problem as it is likely to stimulate further rental inflation and could impact, not alone on rent supplement recipients, but also on lower income workers and students.

The Department has measures in place to ensure that the housing needs of rent supplement customers at risk of homelessness are addressed by providing for increased flexibility within the administration of the rent supplement scheme. Notices circulated to Community Welfare Service staff reminding them of their discretionary power to award, on a case by case basis, a supplement for rental purposes in such circumstances in July and December 2014. A National Framework has also been developed to ensure that appropriate interventions continue to be provided in a consistent manner where rent supplement recipients have been threatened with homelessness due to rising rents.

The Department continues to monitor the measures in place to ensure that the appropriate supports are in place for rent supplement recipients and the Interim Tenancy Sustainment protocol operating in Dublin has being extended to include single persons and couples and to Cork city during 2015. The Department’s response to the current difficulties in the private rented market remains under close review.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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27. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to monitor rent levels in counties Kildare, Meath, Dublin and Wicklow, with particular reference to the need to ensure that families affected by rent increases and dependent on private rental accommodation in lieu of local authority housing, and/or families who may become homeless arising from repossessions by lenders, are sufficiently protected by way of increased rent support to minimise the risk of homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9292/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are approximately 70,700 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €298 million for 2015.

I am acutely aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in maintaining affordable rented accommodation in areas of high demand in the current private rented market in Dublin and surrounding commuter counties. The Department’s response to the current difficulties remains under close review and measures have been put in place to ensure that the housing needs of rent supplement customers who are at risk of homelessness are supported.

The policy response provides for increased flexibility within the administration of the rent supplement scheme. Notices were circulated to all Community Welfare Service staff reminding them of their discretionary power to award, on a case by case basis, a supplement for rental purposes in cases of threatened homelessness in July and December 2014. A National Framework has also been developed to ensure that appropriate supports continue to be provided throughout the country in a consistent manner.

The Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol, introduced in the Dublin region during 2014, has assisted approximately 380 families to date through increased rental payments and has recently being extended to include single persons and couples. The Protocol was also extended to Cork city in January 2015.

As outlined in the Action Plan to address homelessness, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has committed to meet with the various stakeholders, including the financial institutions, to discuss what measures can be taken with regard to encumbered “Buy to Let” properties and those in receivership.