Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to revise and increase rent supplement, given the huge increase in family homelessness since the beginning of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11710/16]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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53. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to make the rent allowance scheme available to low-paid workers in order to ensure tenancy sustainment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11643/16]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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60. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when he will increase the limits under the rent supplement scheme by 15%; his research on ascertaining the level of top-ups being paid by tenants to landlords charging in excess of the limits under the scheme; the consequences for such landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11647/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 53 and 60 together.

Supports in relation to housing and the provision of financial supports, such as the rent supplement scheme currently supporting some 56,800 recipients at a cost of €267 million in 2016, are a priority for Government and are being considered by the Cabinet Committee on Housing in the context of the Programme for Government housing commitments. My Department is currently examining the rent limits in the context of the Government commitment and it is my intention that revised rent limits will be introduced as early as possible, subject to agreement by Government.

At this time of constrained supply, my Department continues to implement a targeted, flexible, case-by-case approach where rents exceed limits.This ensures that people at risk of homelessness or loss of their tenancy are supported under the rent supplement scheme where increased rental payments are required. Currently, over 8,000 households are supported through this approach.

The policy direction of my Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term support scheme mainly for unemployed people, addressing long-term support needs through Government initiatives such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme. The Programme for Government commits to delivering an Affordable Rental pilot scheme, for householders on low to moderate income, and is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.

It is very difficult for the Department to identify under the counter top ups when both the tenant and landlord are in collusion and if the payment is being made in cash. There are obvious concerns regarding the additional top-up a person may pay in terms of ensuring that there is sufficient money remaining to provide for basic living expenses.

I would urge people who are currently paying under the counter top ups to contact the Department’s Community Welfare Service. In such cases the Department’s staff will discuss the circumstances of the case with the individual with the primary concern the tenant and their accommodation needs at this time when it is extremely difficult to source accommodation.