Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to report on how many rent supplement uplifts were awarded in December 2015 to help families avoid homelessness; if discretionary powers under article 38 of SI No. 412 of 2007 will remain in place during 2016; if a cap will be placed on these discretionary powers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1064/16]

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 61,000 people for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016.

In view of the reduction of supply in the private rented market and increasing rents at this time, the Department has implemented a policy approach that allows for flexibility in assessing customers’ individual accommodation needs on a case by case basis. Departmental staff administering rent supplement have a statutory discretionary power, provided for under Article 38 of Statutory Instrument 412 of 2007, to award or increase a supplement for rental purposes, for example, when dealing with applicants who are risk of losing their tenancy or in danger of homelessness. There are no plans to amend or restrict this statutory power.

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 underway to extend this to Galway City.

The Department’s flexible approach has assisted approximately 5,800 households nationwide to retain their rented accommodation through increased rent payments, of which some 610 cases were approved in December 2015. A county breakdown of the increased payments is provided in the attached tabular statement.

I believe that these measures and the recent reforms to the private rental sector will provide increased stability in what has become a highly volatile rental market. I am continuing to keep this matter under close review.

Rent Supplement : Total Increased Rental Payments by County at 31/12/2015