Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

426. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to extend the tenancy protection scheme to County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12594/16]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

431. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the projected timeframe for an increase in rent caps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12612/16]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

443. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of individual persons, couples and families in receipt of rent allowance per annum on an annual basis since 2010, in tabular form. [12780/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 431 and 443 together.

Supports in relation to housing and the provision of financial supports, such as the rent supplement scheme currently supporting some 55,500 recipients at a cost of €267 million in 2016, are a key 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 intended that revised rent limits, taking account of geographic variations in market rents, will be introduced as early as possible subject to agreement by Government.

At this time of constrained supply, the 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 8,300 households are supported through this approach.

The Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a protocol in the Dublin and Cork areas where supply issues are particularly acute. Following engagement with the relevant agencies this protocol was recently extended to the commuter counties of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow on 25 April, 2016, with plans to extend the service to Galway City over the coming week. The Programme for a Partnership Government has identified expanding this Protocol nationwide, and the Department will continue to work with colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, local authorities and Threshold to support this extension.

A breakdown of rent supplement recipient numbers since 2010 is provided in the attached tabular statement. Statistics on the rent supplement recipients by household composition are not available.

Any person experiencing increased rents or facing the threat of the loss of their tenancy are encouraged to contact the Department of Social Protection’s Community Welfare Service responsible for their rent supplement clam without delay.

Rent Supplement: Recipient Numbers from 2010 to Present

At end of May 2016.