John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will re-examine an application for a living alone allowance by a person (details supplied); and if the rent supplement being paid is the maximum available. [31664/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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As this gentleman is in receipt of an increase for a qualified child, he cannot be classed as living entirely alone. On this basis, the application for living alone allowance was refused.

This gentleman is not in receipt of rent supplement. He resides in accommodation supported by the Local Authority under the Housing Assistance Payment.

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support provided by all local authorities. HAP means that local authorities can provide housing assistance for households who qualify for social housing support, including many long-term Rent Supplement recipients. Under HAP, local authorities will make payments, subject to rent limits, on behalf of the HAP recipient directly to the landlord in respect of rent. The HAP recipient will then pay a rent contribution to the local authority. The rent contribution is a differential rent – that is, a rent set by the local authority based on income and the ability to pay.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.