Written answers

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Department of Social Protection

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of households by county that have had their rent increased above the prescribed rent supplement limit, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/17]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The rent supplement scheme, for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017, plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 46,000 tenants.

In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, my Department implements a targeted case-by-case policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. Since the introduction of this flexible approach, almost 11,200 persons at imminent risk of homelessness have been supported through increased rent supplement payments. A county breakdown of these payments is provided in the following tabular statement.

The Deputy will be aware that the strategic policy direction of the Department is to return rent supplement to its original purpose of being a short-term income support with the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, which from 1 March, 2017, is now available nationwide. HAP was first piloted in the Limerick area in early 2014, with the number of HAP recipients (c. 1,600) in Limerick City and County now exceeding the number of rent supplement recipients (945). In addition to the ongoing transfer of tenancies from rent supplement to HAP, the majority of new applicants in Limerick seeking State support towards their rent are being supported under HAP rather than rent supplement. This activity is reflected in the low number of increased payments provided under rent supplement in this area.

In tandem with the revised rental limits introduced in July 2016 and on-going transfers to HAP, my Department continues to implement a targeted, flexible, case-by-case approach where rents may exceed the appropriate maximum limit ensuring where possible that rent supplement tenants can retain their homes.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Tabular Statement

Total Cumulative Increased Rental Payments by County as at 28thFebruary, 2017

CountyCumulative Awards under National Tenancy Sustainment FrameworkCumulative Awards under protocol with ThresholdTotal no. of increased payments by County
CARLOW7575
CAVAN6666
CLARE6060
CORK45497551
DONEGAL--
DUBLIN4,3202,5706,890
GALWAY2073210
KERRY206206
KILDARE5583561
KILKENNY136136
LAOIS119119
LEITRIM101101
LIMERICK1717

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