Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the estimated daily cost of HAP and RAS payments in 2018; the equivalent daily investment being put into building permanent homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52155/17]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken to compare the cost of HAP, RAS and rent supplement in 2018 and the cost of building permanent homes; the rationale for continuing high spending in the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52156/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

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.