Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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256. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 15 April 2015, if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of cases where young persons leaving care received payment of deposits and rent in advance, for each quarter from 2012 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18602/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The reduced rates of jobseekers payments and supplementary welfare allowance for persons aged under 26 do not apply where such persons were in the care of the Health Service Executive during the year prior to their 18th birthday.

The Department is also actively engaging with Tusla and non-Government organisations in providing the necessary support to vulnerable young people leaving care who are experiencing homelessness or in insecure situations. These cases are managed on a case by case basis and the payment of deposits and rent in advance is considered. This form of assistance is very important to those on low incomes who are at risk of, or who are homeless, or who rely on the private rented market to meet their housing needs.

Statistics are not maintained on the numbers of Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) made for the purposes of rent deposits or rent in advance for young persons leaving care. The numbers of ENPs for rent deposits and rent in advance for all recipients under the age of 26 are provided in the attached tabular statement.

Tabular Statement:

ENPs paid in respect of Rent in Advance and Rent Deposits for each quarter in the period Jan 2012-end March 2015 to persons aged under 26.