Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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122. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the research conducted by the Simon Communities, Locked Out of the Market III: The Gap Between Rent Supplement/HAP [Housing Assistance Payment] Limits and Market Rents, that indicates that 95% of properties advertised for rent are not available at the rent supplement limits. [4167/16]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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123. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to increase rent supplement levels, given the research by the Simon Communities showing a 32.3% rise in rents since April 2012, given that rent supplement levels have remained unchanged since June 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4168/16]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who applied for rent supplement and were refused, by county, over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4248/16]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who were refused rent supplement on the grounds that their rent was over the rent supplement levels, by county, in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4249/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123, 129 and 130 together.

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 60,000 people for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016. Properties are being secured under the scheme with over 20,100 rent supplement tenancies awarded during 2015.

I am fully aware of the difficulties people are experiencing in maintaining affordable rented accommodation in areas of high demand, and also of the contents of the recent Simon Community report “Locked out of the Market III – The Gap between Rent Supplement/HAP Limits and Market Rents – A Snapshot Study” which clearly tracks the reduction of supply in the private rented market over the course of their three reports.

A review of the rent limits undertaken by the Department 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. Recent analysis shows that increasing the current rent limits by 8% would result in a full year cost in excess of €25 million, with a 35% increase costing approximately €124 million. If examined in the context of those counties with the highest number of rent supplement recipients; increasing rent limits by 8% in counties Dublin, Cork, Kildare and Galway would acquire fewer than 30 houses.

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 where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the rent supplement scheme. The circumstances of tenants are considered on a case-by-case basis and rents are being increased above prescribed limits, as appropriate. 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.

This flexible approach has assisted over 6,200 rent supplement households nationwide to retain or acquire rented accommodation through increased rent payments. A county breakdown of this information and a county analysis of rent supplement recipients for the years 2011 to date are provided in the attached tabular statements. Statistics are not maintained on the number of rent supplement applications and their outcome. 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.

Persons in receipt of rent supplement who may be at risk of losing their tenancy as a result of increases in rent are urged to contact their local Community Welfare Service or the Threshold Tenancy Sustainment Service without delay.

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

Total Increased Rental Payments by County as at 01/02/2016

Rent Supplement Recipients by County, 2011 - End January 2016