Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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542. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government how many applications were made and how many successful applications were awarded under the Dublin regional executives tenancy protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5246/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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543. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the tenancy protection scheme to areas adjoining, but outside the Dublin regional homeless executive area, which are also excluded from accessing the advice services; when he will implement this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5247/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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544. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the tenancy protection scheme is permitted to allow tenants to negotiate contracts to remain within their homes where landlords have notified them in terms of rent increases, despite new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5248/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 to 544, inclusive, together.

The Department of Social Protection’s Interim Tenancy Sustainment Protocol currently operates in Cork and Dublin in conjunction with a local authority funded tenancy protection service; the local authority funded service is provided through the non-governmental organisation Threshold. Under these arrangements, Threshold provides advice and advocacy for tenants who are at risk of losing their homes. When necessary, Threshold may refer the case directly to the Department of Social Protection and that Department may apply a discretionary uplift to Rent Supplement rates, thereby securing the continuation of the tenancy.

While the protocol arrangements are currently only operational in Cork and Dublin, the Department of Social Protection continues to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis for Rent Supplement clients nationwide under its National Tenancy Sustainment Framework. Under both Tenancy Sustainment arrangements, uplifts have been granted at the discretion of the Department of Social Protection’s Welfare Officers to over 7,100 clients nationwide, with approximately 4,700 of these in the Dublin Region. Operational issues in this regard are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.

My Department is currently working with housing authorities and the Department of Social Protection to extend the Interim Tenancy Sustainment arrangements to certain local authority areas were the most severe rental market pressures have been noted – namely, Galway City Council and Kildare, Meath and Wicklow County Councils. Arrangements for the extension are well advanced and it should be formalised in the very near future.