Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of requests for payments of additional rent supplement, over and above the standard rate approved in each local authority, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; the number approved, refused, in 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40041/15]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of increased rental payments under the protocol with Threshold and the national tenancy sustainment framework in each of the four local authorities in Dublin. [40421/15]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of increased rental payments under the protocol with Threshold and the national tenancy sustainment framework in each of the Dublin postal districts. [40422/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she will be in a position to continue to offer adequate rent support to occupants of privately rented accommodation who are on the local authority housing lists, unemployed, or in low-wage employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40583/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of rent support, by county or by local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40584/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 152, 153, 171 and 172 together.

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 63,000 people at a cost of over €298 million in 2015. Properties are being secured under the scheme with over 17,200 rent supplement tenancies in payment awarded this year.

Rent supplement policy continues to allow for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the scheme. Under this approach 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.

I would encourage people in difficulties with their rent to make contact with the Community Welfare Service administering their claim or the Tenancy Protection Service provided by Threshold in Dublin/Cork city on 1800 454 454.

This flexible approach has already assisted approximately 4,700 rent supplement households throughout the country to retain their rented accommodation. A county breakdown of this information and current rent supplement recipients is provided in the attached tabular statements, however a breakdown by local authority or postal area is not maintained. Statistics are not maintained on the number of applications requested and refused rent supplement increases. However, I can assure the Deputies that where Departmental staff are notified of a threat of tenancy loss these preventative measures are implemented as appropriate.

I believe that these measures - and the reforms to the private rental sector announced last week - will continue to provide adequate rent support to rent supplement customers and will provide increased certainty for both tenants and landlords in the current market.

Tabular Statements:

Rent Supplement Recipients by County, End October 2015

Total Increased Rental Payments by County at 09/11/2015