Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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341. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of households that have been taken off rent supplement as a result of being placed in emergency accommodation in 2016, by local authority, in tabular form; the savings made by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17506/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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393. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he has identified the hardship caused where various payments are cut off, in some cases leading to homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 393 together.

Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting some 44,800 recipients for which the Government has provided €253 million for in 2017.

Statistics are not generally maintained for those exiting the rent supplement scheme, however I can assure the Deputies that every effort is made so that rent supplement tenants are supported by my Department ensuring where possible that they can remain in their homes. In view of the ongoing difficulties in the rental market, my Department provides a targeted case-by-case policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits, which were increased in July 2016. In addition, the Protocol arrangement in place with Threshold is operational in the areas where supply issues are particularly acute covering Kildare, Dublin, Cork, Meath, Wicklow and Galway City. Since the introduction of this flexible approach, almost 11,500 tenants at imminent risk of homelessness have been supported through increased rent supplement payments.

Continued entitlement to rent supplement is not linked to entitlement to other social welfare schemes, however the rent supplement claim may be reviewed following a decision to suspend or disallow a primary social welfare payment as there may be a change to the claimant’s circumstances that could affect eligibility. During a review of a rent supplement claim, the Community Welfare Service (CWS) officer will engage with the claimant to establish continued eligibility as quickly as possible and limit any delay to payments. Any person in this situation is encouraged to contact the Department’s CWS responsible for their rent supplement claim to discuss their situation.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.