Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated daily cost of rent supplement payments in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52155/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme currently supporting 35,000 recipients at a cost of €253 million in 2017.

The strategic policy direction of my Department is to return this scheme to its original purpose of being a short-term income support with the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme.

Rent supplement’s outturn forecast is calculated based on its expected level of activity taking into account transfers to, and the impact of, the HAP scheme, on-going transfers of rent supplement tenancies to other social housing options; and the general improvement in the economy. The estimated daily cost of rent supplement payments in 2018 is €491,780.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.