Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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3. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in receipt of rent supplement, for each month since January 2015. [9244/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 56,800 people for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016. A monthly breakdown of rent supplement recipients from January 2015 to April 2016 is provided in the attached tabular statement.

The number of rent supplement recipients has reduced during this period which can be attributed to a number of factors including the improving economy and the change in rent supplement policy following the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Under HAP responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to those with a long-term housing need transfers to local authorities. Where HAP is in operation this Department will continue to provide rental support, under the rent supplement scheme, to those with a short term need, generally because of a temporary loss of employment. HAP is now operational in 19 local authority areas and officials continue to work with those in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the local authorities to support its further roll out.

Rent Supplement Recipients – January 2015 to date