Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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186. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to indicate, notwithstanding the replies to previous parliamentary questions on the matter, whether the proceeds of a family home arising from a family settlement which accrued to a person (details supplied) must be completely dissipated before the person can qualify for rent support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17873/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As part of the assessment of means for Rent Supplement, all capital savings and investments, including monies accrued through the sale of a person's family home, are subject to a means test. This means test is applied consistently to all applicants for Rent Supplement in accordance with the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, Section 196.

As detailed to the Deputy in previous replies to Parliamentary Questions, the client concerned was requested to provide the Department with details of all capital accrued through the sale of the family home, to include documentation that shows the full amount of this settlement, such as bank statements from the date of receipt of the monies to current date and clearly verify what amount of this capital remains.

The client concerned failed to provide this documentation despite numerous requests by the Department. Subsequently the Rent Supplement application was disallowed as the individual failed to provide sufficient information to allow an assessment of the case. The client concerned has been advised of their right to appeal this decision.

As highlighted in discussions between the Deputy and the Department of Social Protection, the Department has reviewed the case again and all information supplied to date. Unfortunately, having regard to the legislation together with the facts of the case, there is no discretion on the matter. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.