Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of requests for payments under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in 2015 to date in respect of requests for additional rental supplement over and above the standard rate approved in each local authority; the number of requests that have been approved for additional rent supplement payments; the number refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32275/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 65,000 people at a cost of over €298 million in 2015.

Under the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework each tenant’s circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis, and rents are being increased above prescribed limits as appropriate. Community Welfare Service staff have a statutory discretionary power to award or increase a supplement for rental purposes, for example, when dealing with applicants who are at risk of losing their tenancy or in danger of homelessness. In addition the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special Protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where the supply issues are particularly acute, with plans underway to extend this protocol to Galway City.

This flexible approach has already assisted approximately 3,500 rent supplement households throughout the country to retain their rented accommodation. A county breakdown of this information is provided in the following tabular statement. Statistics are not available on the number of applications refused rent supplement increases.

I can assure the Deputy that where Departmental staff are notified of a threat of tenancy loss these preventative measures are implemented as appropriate.

Persons in receipt of rent supplement who may be at risk of losing their tenancy due to rising rents are advised to contact the Community Welfare Service dealing with their rent supplement claim as soon as possible. Persons in Dublin or Cork city are encouraged to avail of the Tenancy Protection Service operated by Threshold (available at 1800 454 454).

Tabular Statement - Total Increased Rental Payments by County at 30/08/2015