John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

401. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons on the reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance who will benefit from the decision in budget 2017 to reduce their contribution towards rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34926/16]

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

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting some 49,700 recipients for which the Government has provided €267 million for in 2016.

The information requested by the Deputy is not collated by the Department but I am advised that the number of young persons on reduced rate of jobseekers allowance who receive rent supplement support is approximately 500 in total. The measure, which I announced as part of Budget 2017, effectively increases these young people’s after-rent income whilst on age-related social welfare payments by reducing their minimum contribution under rent supplement. For single persons under 25 years they will be €20 better off per week – paying a minimum contribution of €10 per week rather than the current €30, and for persons over 25 and under 26 they will be €10 better off per week, paying a minimum contribution of €20 per week.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.