Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her Department has carried out a review of the current level of rent supplement and the impact the reduction of same has had on homelessness. [33038/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 65,000 people at a cost of €298 million in 2015.

Over 13,700 rent supplement tenancies have been awarded this year, of which almost 4,300 are in Dublin, showing that significant numbers are being accommodated under the scheme.

A review of the rent limits undertaken earlier this year found that the impact of increasing limits at a time of constrained supply will increase costs disproportionately for the Exchequer with little or no new housing available to recipients. Rather than increasing limits at this time rent supplement policy will continue to allow for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits.

This flexible approach has already assisted approximately 4,000 households throughout the country to retain their rented accommodation through increased rent payments. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special Protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where supply issues are particularly acute, with plans to extend this arrangement to Galway City.

The Department, including through its Homeless Persons Unit in Dublin, works closely with local authorities, Government agencies and the voluntary sector in assisting homeless persons to access private rented accommodation. This ensures that, where possible, people are diverted away from homeless services and towards community-based supports. Department officials are actively engaged at a local level with the Homeless Action Teams (HATs) and Non-Government Organisations working in the area of homelessness.

I can assure the Deputy that I am keeping this matter under review and where Departmental staff are notified of a threat of tenancy loss these preventative measures are implemented as appropriate.